The IEEE Portugal Section is pleased to announce the recipients of the 6th Outstanding MSc Thesis Award, recognizing exceptional early-career researchers whose work significantly advances scientific and technological fields within IEEE’s scope. Each year, this award highlights groundbreaking research developed at Portuguese universities, showcasing emerging talent poised to shape the future of engineering, computing, and applied sciences.

The 2025 award cycle once again brought forward an impressive array of submissions, reflecting the strength and diversity of Portugal’s academic and research ecosystem. After careful evaluation, five outstanding theses were selected for their scientific merit, innovation, and potential societal impact.

António Maria Wergikosky Nunes, from Instituto Superior Técnico, was honored for his thesis “Orbital Station-Keeping in the Circular and Elliptic Restricted Three-Body Problems.” His research offers valuable insights into maintaining spacecraft trajectories within complex gravitational environments—an essential challenge in astrodynamics and future space missions.

Representing the University of Minho, André Sá e Silva received recognition for “Fine-tuning of a selenization process to develop Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ thin film solar cells.” His work advances the optimization of next-generation solar technologies, contributing to more efficient and sustainable renewable energy solutions.

From the University of Aveiro, Rafael Fernandes Gonçalves was awarded for his thesis “Machine Learning as a Service for Renewable Energy Communities.” This research proposes innovative mechanisms for integrating machine learning into energy management, supporting smarter and more resilient renewable energy infrastructures.

Ana Catarina Gomes, from the University of Porto, earned her distinction with “Active Inference against Federated Learning: Attacks and Solutions.” Her thesis explores vulnerabilities in distributed machine learning systems and introduces methods to mitigate security threats—an increasingly critical area as AI continues to scale globally.

Finally, Lilli Josephine Anders, from Instituto Superior Técnico, was recognized for her thesis “Design and Evaluation of a Lower Limb Orthoprosthesis for Toddlers with Fibular Hemimelia Using Additive Manufacturing.” Her research merges biomedical engineering with advanced manufacturing, offering promising developments in customized pediatric prosthetics.

The IEEE Portugal Section extends its sincere appreciation to all applicants for their dedication, scientific rigor, and outstanding contributions. Each submission reflects the thriving research culture across Portugal and the commitment of young engineers and scientists to addressing real-world challenges.

The IEEE Portugal Section congratulates the 2025 award winners and looks forward to witnessing the continued impact of their work on the global scientific community.