II REAL Annual Meeting of the Associated Laboratory for Translation and Innovation for Global Health
On January 30, the II Annual Meeting of the Associated Laboratory for Translation and Innovation for Global Health (REAL) took place at NOVA Medical School.
The event was attended by the magnific Rector of NOVA University Lisbon, Professor João Sàágua, as well as several representatives and members of REAL’s management structures. The following were present: Professor Helena Canhão, DEAN of NOVA Medical School and coordinator of LA REAL; Professor Sónia Dias, DEAN of NOVA’s National School of Public Health; Professor Armando Raimundo, DEAN of the School of Health and Human Development of the University of Évora; Professor João Caramês, DEAN of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Lisbon; Professor Miguel Viveiros, Vice-Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of NOVA University Lisbon; Professor José Paulo Santos, Vice-Director for Scientific Affairs of NOVA FCT; Professor António Mata, Full Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Lisbon. Professor Inês Lynce was also present at the meeting, as Deputy Coordinator of the Executive Committee of the Council of Associated Laboratories.
The event provided a unique opportunity to deepen the reflection on the significant impact of the Associated Laboratories, in particular REAL, in promoting scientific and technological solutions to current and emerging challenges in the area of global health, also clarifying its role in coordinating its three research units: Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC); Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM); Laboratory for Instrumentation, Biomedical Engineering and Radiation Physics (LIBPhys).
During the event, REAL's commitment to its thematic areas was reaffirmed, including the promotion of health throughout life, the development of biomarkers and personalized therapies, the integration of the "One Health" concept to address global challenges and the contribution to the definition of public health policies. Efforts to reduce health inequalities, combat neglected diseases and develop innovative technologies and solutions to improve the provision of health care were also highlighted.
The sessions also addressed key issues for advancing science and innovation in health, including the need for strategies that strengthen research careers, promote stability and progression, and encourage talent retention. The implementation of effective and equitable public policies, the relevance of internationalization, the scarcity of resources and the need to diversify funding sources were also discussed.
The meeting highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary and inter-institutional partnerships, highlighting the essential role of collaborative work and resource mobilization to enhance the social impact of research and innovation in global health.
The analysis of the current panorama of Associated Laboratories in Portugal revealed the complexity of future assessments and the need for strategic alignment with the challenges of 2025. The importance of continuous adaptation to global demands was highlighted, reinforcing the commitment to innovation, not only to ensure scientific excellence, but also to contribute to the transformation of health systems and the improvement of the well-being of populations.
We thank to all participants for their valuable contributions. REAL will continue its mission to promote excellent research and innovation, with the conviction that global health can only be achieved through an integrated “One Health” approach.
For more information about the REAL Associated Laboratory and its activities, we invite you to explore the new website, available since October 2024, at https://la-real.pt/. On this platform, you will be able to deepen your knowledge about REAL’s mission, vision and objectives, as well as its thematic lines, the research units that comprise it and its governance model. The website also provides access to management documents, publications and services, and provides a contact form to facilitate collaboration with the scientific community.