25/05/2026
The School of Engineering regularly welcomes leading international professors and researchers, bringing fresh ideas, experiences, and perspectives. As part of these visits, “Engineering Talks” are promoted and open to the community, creating unique opportunities to engage with cutting-edge knowledge and international networks.
Thursday, 28 May 2026, 11h30
Azurém Campus, Main Building, Room 0.20 (B1.10)
Title: Exploring Optimistic Space Futures
Dava Newman, Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics, MIT
Dava Newman is the Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics at MIT and former Director of the MIT Media Lab, internationally recognized for her pioneering contributions to aerospace biomedical engineering, astronaut performance in extreme environments, and next-generation spacesuit design. As former NASA Deputy Administrator (2015–2017), she played a central role in shaping the agency’s vision for human exploration of Mars, innovation, and future space technologies. With more than 350 scientific publications, numerous patents, and extensive experience leading spaceflight research on the Space Shuttle, MIR, and the International Space Station, her work bridges space exploration, health, engineering, design, AI, climate, and sustainability. A strong advocate for interdisciplinary research connecting science, technology, policy, and human-centered innovation, she was awarded an honoris causa doctorate by the University of Minho in 2023.
Partnership: MIT Portugal Program and New Space Portugal