Lara Sá Neves, a graduate of the Master in Data Science and Engineering (MECD) from the Department of Informatics Engineering (DEI) at the Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), won the first prize in the Master’s Thesis Award category of the 16th edition of the Fraunhofer Portugal Challenge, with the project iHOMER, a pioneering approach in the field of applied artificial intelligence.
Developed as part of her master’s degree, under the supervision of Prof. Carlos Soares (DEI), the work presents an innovative algorithm capable of learning and reorganising information in real time, ensuring explainability and accuracy in dynamic environments.
Currently a doctoral student in the dual programme at Carnegie Mellon University – Instituto Superior Técnico, Lara Sá Neves sees this recognition as proof of the excellence of the education and research carried out at FEUP.
The award ceremony took place on 5 November in the auditorium of Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS, in Porto. In the 2025 edition, the Master Thesis Award category distinguished four projects, with a total prize of €8,000, including work by students from the Universidade de Aveiro and the Instituto Superior Técnico.
Organised since 2010, the Fraunhofer Portugal Challenge annually recognises technological ideas from university students in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Cyber-Physical Systems and User-Centred Design.
More about the winning projects here.