The Microbiology 2024 conference, an international event held in Portuguese and organized by the Portuguese Society of Microbiology, took place from November 25 to 27, 2024. This prestigious event, aimed at fostering young researchers' development, brought together scientists from diverse fields of microbiology to exchange knowledge, present groundbreaking research, and strengthen collaborations.

The Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) had a strong presence at the conference, with several researchers selected to deliver oral presentations. Their contributions highlighted the impactful and innovative research being conducted at the CBQF.

The quality and relevance of the work presented by CBQF’s researchers did not go unnoticed. Ana Margarida Teixeira and Inês Leão, two of the center’s promising young scientists, were recognized with awards for their outstanding contributions. These accolades reflect not only the excellence of their research but also the CBQF’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and supporting the development of emerging talent in the field of microbiology.

Award Highlights

• Ana Margarida Teixeira received the award for Best Oral Presentation in the Environmental Microbiology category, a recognition given unanimously by the audience, largely composed of young researchers. Reflecting on the award, Ana Margarida shared: “For me, this award represents the recognition and validation of the hard work we put into our research every day. It isn’t always easy, but receiving this prize from my peers, particularly young investigators, reinforces the value of what we do and motivates us to keep striving for excellence”.

• Inês Leão was awarded for Best Short Video Presentation in the Environmental Microbiology category. Her video, which can be viewed here, showcased her research in a creative and accessible format. On receiving this recognition, Inês remarked: “Receiving this award from my peers was a wonderful surprise and demonstrates that science communication can—and should—be done in diverse ways. While different from traditional formats like posters or oral presentations, creative approaches can make our laboratory work more accessible and impactful to a broader audience”.

These awards underscore CBQF’s emphasis on innovation, scientific excellence, and effective communication of research findings. The center remains committed to supporting young researchers and fostering a dynamic environment for advancing microbiological science.