Ricardo Ferreira, a PhD student in Computer Science, stood out with his presentation of an algorithm to improve surgical planning.
Ricardo Ferreira, a PhD student in the Doctoral Programme in Computer Science, recently won the Best Student Paper award at the 25th edition of the International Conference on Bioinformatics and Bioengineering (BIBE 2025), held in Athens, Greece.
The award was given for the presentation of the paper “Assisted Vascular Analysis (AVA) for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforators: Pipeline Analysis”, published in co-authorship with Hélder Oliveira, João Silva, Miguel Romariz, David Pinto, Ricardo J. Araújo, João Santinha, and Pedro Gouveia.
The student presented the development of an algorithm — AVA — that supports surgical planning, for example in breast reconstruction procedures, by enabling the accurate identification and characterisation of deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEPs), which are essential for surgical success. Incorrect vessel selection can compromise tissue viability, increase the risk of complications, and prolong surgical time. For this reason, this tool is essential.
This type of technology increases the speed and accuracy of planning up to the surgical stage, freeing up time for medical teams — work with a direct impact on clinical practice and on the future of computer-assisted surgery.
Ricardo Ferreira, who holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, has also been a researcher at INESC TEC since 2023.
At the same conference, PhD students from the Faculty of Engineering, Joana Sousa and Pedro Lima, also presented their research work.
About BIBE 2025
The 25th International Conference on BioInformatics and BioEngineering (BIBE 2025) is an international scientific conference in the fields of Bioinformatics and Bioengineering, organised as part of the BIBE conference series — one of the oldest and most established in these disciplines within the IEEE — Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
The conference aims to promote synergies between Bioinformatics, Bioengineering, and Biomedicine, foster the exchange of ideas and scientific discoveries among researchers, professionals, and students, and provide an interactive forum for inspiration and collaboration on complex problems at the intersection of these areas.