Dr. José Carlos Magalhães Pires is a Senior Researcher at the University of Porto, Portugal. He holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the same institution and has over 18 years of experience in teaching and research within the fields of environmental sciences and process systems engineering. His research interests include process modeling and optimization, sustainable microalgal cultivation strategies, bioreactor design, and the applications of microalgae in water treatment, CO2 capture and bioenergy production.