Background and Awards

Academic Degrees:

First Degree in Civil Engineering (5 years) at Coimbra University (17/20, in 1991);

MSc in Soil and Rock Mechanics, with a thesis entitled “Geotechnical characterization of soft soils- study of the experimental site of Quinta do Foja” (Very Good, in 2000);

PhD in Engineering at Cambridge University, UK, with a thesis entitled “In situ densification as a liquefaction resistance measure for bridge foundations”, in 2007.

Awards:

Portuguese Geotechnical Society Award for the “Best Research Paper published in the Portuguese Geotechnical Journal (Geotecnia)” in the period 2006-2007;

Portuguese Geotechnical Society’s “Manuel da Rocha” Award, for the “Best Geotechnical PhD Thesis" by a Portuguese Researcher during the 4-year period 2004-2007;

Portuguese Geotechnical Society’s “SPG” Award, for the “Best Geotechnical MSc Thesis” by a Portuguese Researcher during the 2-year period 1999-2000;

Portuguese Geotechnical Society’s “SPG” Award, for the “Best Geotechnical MSc Thesis” by a Portuguese Researcher during the 2-year period 1999-2000;

Cambridge University Engineering Department’s SSJC (student staff joint committee of CUED) “Best Demonstrator Award” for 2004-2005 as nominated by engineering undergraduates at CUED;