Our Team
She is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Mechatronics and Information Systems (TUL). She is an educator and researcher in many European projects, mainly Erasmus+ projects in Higher Education sector. She coordinated 2 international Erasmus_+ projects on Design Thinking and Sustainable Development (High5, GreenTEX). She has worked in several projects and initiatives on virtual/augmented reality, and universal design. She gained experiences at various universities (Aarhus University, IVEY Business School in Canada, TU Wien, University of Tromsø). She specializes in Biomedical Engineering, Sustainable Development, Design Thinking and Human-Centered Design, UX design, Human-Computer Interaction, and usability testing. Since 2023 she is a certificated Project Manager (IPMA-D).
Katarzyna Znajdek
Katarzyna Znajdek is an Associate Professor and a Head Representative for Science of the Department of Semiconductor and Optoelectronic Devices at the Faculty of Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Control Engineering (TUL). Her research areas cover flexible photovoltaics, integrated electronics, renewable energies and SDGs. Her teaching is methods focus on the team projects based on Design Thinking, PBL, RBL or group tutoring. She participated in Erasmus+ projects (DiamonDT, High5, Design4Climate), Baltic Univesity Programme initiatives (SAIL, EduBUP) and international trainings on innovative teaching and learning (University College London, Hasso Plattner Institute Potsdam, Arctic University of Norway, University of Alberta in Canada).
Aleksandra Jastrzębska
An assistant professor at the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. She is a team specialist in the field of materials science and has experience in project-based methods development, including design thinking, Integrated Design, and project-based learning. She has been trained in PBL, challenge-based learning, gamification, flipped education model, and case teaching. Her scientific interests are focused on green materials design, sustainability in material engineering, and liposomes and micro algae-based materials. She has coordinated an Erasmus+ project “Addressing Climate Change through Design Thinking for a Green, No Waste Economy” – from Strategic Partnerships in the Vocational Education and Training sector and took part as a core team member in 6 Erasmus+ projects in KA202.
Krzysztof Jastrzębski
An assistant professor at the Institute of Materials and Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of TUL. He is also a project coordinator of the Erasmus+ project DigiMat – “Excellence for digital education in materials engineering”, a project in Partnerships for cooperation in the Higher Education sector. He has extensive experience in gamification, problem-based learning, design thinking, integrated design, and case teaching. As for his scientific career, he deals with hybrid systems in biomaterials, surface modification of metals as well as green energy sources and hydrogen storage technologies development.
Iñigo Cuiñas
Iñigo Cuiñas is a Professor at the Dept. of Signal Theory and Communications at the University of Vigo. He teaches courses on the link between Society and Telecommunication, in which Design Thinking (or human-centered project development) is used as the crucial tool, and he was participated in different projects involving the developing of soft skills and innovative teaching methodologies. He participates or has participated in several Erasmus+ projects, such as DiamonDT, LEAP, UNIFORS 2020, ∫byDT, VRxanny, Allure, Abraxas, and ENGood.
Itziar Goicoechea
Itziar Goicoechea is an Associate Professor at the Dept. of Design in Engineering at the University of Vigo.
She has long experience in project based teaching and on project management subjects, after her activity in automotive industry before her incorporation to the University. Her academic career is focused to internationalization of activities. She has actively participated in Erasmus+ projects as UNIFORS 2020 or VRxanny.
Manuel García Sánchez
Manuel García Sánchez is a Professor at the Dept. of Signal Theory and Communications at the University of Vigo. He has experience in using outdoor activities as teaching methodology in his classes on radio-localization, or on evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields. He has participated in Erasmus+ projects as UNIFORS 2020 or VRxanny.
Almudena González Costas
Almudena González has been a member of Femxa since 2022. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Vigo, a Master’s in International Commerce, and is currently pursuing a PhD in social innovation. Has participated in more than 20 projects funded by the European Commission as a researcher.
Mamen López Cruz
Mamen López Cruz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Santiago de Compostela and has specialized in International Trade accredited by the Chamber of Commerce of Vigo. Additionally, possesses a High Certificate in Training for Employment awarded by the National Employment Services in 2017. Currently, she oversees the management and direction of various national and international projects. She has been working with Femxa Groups since 2010, with roles including Consultor of Associations at National Level (2010-2012), responsible of the VET training office (2013-2014), and currently serving as Head of International Projects since 2014.
Luca Catarinucci
University Professor at the Department of Engineering Innovation, with 20 years of experience teaching both theoretical and practical courses in Electromagnetics. Throughout his career, he has led numerous national and European research and technology transfer projects, and served as a lecturer in various training-oriented projects. He consistently published around 200 papers in international journals and conference proceedings. His scientific responsibilities have recently culminated in his election as President-Elect of the IEEE Council on RFID. This role underscores his commitment to advancing the field of electromagnetic technologies, leveraging his expertise to foster innovation and knowledge dissemination in this domain.
Francesco Paolo Chietera
Francesco Paolo Chietera received the MS degree in Communication Engineering at the University of Salento, Lecce, Italy in 2018 (110/110). Since then, he collaborates as member of the EMTech (Electromagnetic Solutions for Hi Tech) group, led by prof. Luca Catarinucci at the Dept. of Innovation Engineering of the University of Salento, where he is also performed his Ph.D. His main field of interest is 3D-printing in Electromagnetics, with a particular focus on RFID technologies for sensing and traceability as well as on IoT enabling communication technologies in general. He coauthored more than 35 papers on these topics both on international journals and conferences. He has also been involved in various financed projects with national and international institution like INAIL (National Institute for Insurance Against Industrial Injuries), CNR (National Research Council), and ERASMUS+.
Maria Amélia Fonseca
Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of the Azores, where she has been teaching and researching since 1991. She participated as a member of several scientific projects related to biodiversity from the Macaronesic region. She is a member of the Research Center for Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (CIBIO Açores). Her main research interests are the genetic characterization of species through a combination of molecular genetic markers, ecology and conservation of island species, and the genetic bioprospecting of island species of cyanobacteria and microalgae, with great potential in biodiversity, bioactivity and biotechnology. She has extensive experience in teaching areas of genetics, molecular biology techniques and animal biodiversity and guiding undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students. She was director of the Biology Degree course for more than ten years, Coordinator for Academic Mobility programs, member of the Committee for the Crediting of Training and Professional Experience at UAc, and Vice-president of the Faculty. She is currently the Pro-Rector for Cooperation, Internationalization and Distance Learning.
Adolfo Fernando da Fonte
He is a teacher and researcher at the Department of Education of the University of the Azores – the institution in which he developed his entire academic career at higher level – in the areas of Artistic Expressions, Pedagogical Practice and Didactics of Pre-School Education and 1st Cycle of Basic Education. It has carried out ongoing training actions for educators and teachers (in the area of artistic expressions), participated in several national and international projects, within the scope of educational sciences, artistic studies and the study of regional heritage linked to the playful component, and published works in these areas, the result of investigations carried out across all the islands of the archipelago. He was Vice-Rector for sport and cultural extension and is the current Vice-Rector for Students, Well-being and Institutional Communication at the University of the Azores.
Darius Andriukaitis
Prof. Dr. Darius Andriukaitis earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2009, also serves as Vice Dean for Research at Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania. He’s Executive Editor of “Elektronika ir Elektrotechnika” journal and Co-Chair of the “Electronics” conference. With global academic influence, he’s hosted and collaborated internationally, fostering knowledge exchange. Actively involved in academia, he evaluates Ph.D. theses and contributes to journals’ editorial boards. A sought-after speaker, he’s delivered talks at international conferences, shaping academic discourse. His activity in research and studies projects demonstrates practical application of expertise.
Mindaugas Žilys
Mindaugas Zilys graduated MSc in 1996 and received PhD in Electronics Engineering in 2001. He works as a researcher at Department of Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology and in industry. His research focuses on electronic system efficiency, energy harvesting, low power management and wireless smart sensors.
Andrius Chaziachmetovas
Andrius Chaziachmetovas (Member, IEEE) received the Ph.D. degree in metrology and measurements from the Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania, in 2007.,Since 2009, he has been an Associate Professor with the Department of Electronics Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas. His current research interests include ultrasonic measurements, ultrasound electronics, high-voltage pulsers, software development, embedded systems, and time of flight estimation.