All posts by : Antonio Teixeira

The Academy of Sciences of Lisbon congratulates the academician Helena Freitas on being awarded the Grande Prémio Ciência Viva 2025. This distinction recognises her contribution to the promotion of scientific culture in Portugal. A biologist and Full Professor of Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Coimbra, founder and Coordinator of the Centre for Functional Ecology, and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Biodiversity Safeguard for Sustainable Development, academician Helena Freitas has received several other distinctions, including the Order of Prince Henry (Commander) in 2000, the Portugal Inspirador – Personality of the Year Award in 2022, and the Ernst Haeckel Award from the EEF for her contributions to European ecological science in 2023. The Academy also congratulates all the laureates of this edition, commending their dedication to advancing scientific literacy and knowledge.

Deolinda Flores Marcelo da Fonseca, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, passed away on 12 November 2025.

She held a PhD and was an Associate Professor in Geology at the University of Porto, where she was a Full Professor in the Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Planning at the Faculty of Sciences. She was renowned in the areas of geological and multidisciplinary applications of Organic Petrology and Geochemistry.

She held positions in scientific organisations as a member of the Council of the International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology (ICCP), as head of the respective Accreditation Subcommittee, and as a member of the board of the Geochemistry Group and chair of the Supervisory Board of the Geological Society of Portugal.

She was elected to the Earth and Space Sciences section of the Science Class on 25 May 2023.

The Academy of Sciences of Lisbon expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Deolinda Flores on her passing.