Roberto Roncon, an expert at RISE-Health, is to head the FMUP and has already set out his objectives for the next four years.
On 24 July, Roberto Roncon de Albuquerque, a researcher at RISE-Health, was elected director of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP) by the institution’s Council of Representatives, succeeding Altamiro da Costa Pereira.
For the coming four-year term, the professor, who also holds the chair in Physiopathology and Intensive Care Medicine at FMUP, aims to ensure institutional coordination with the University of Porto, Porto City Council, the São João Local Health Unit (ULS) and affiliated healthcare institutions, as well as the adoption of a decentralised governance model, focused on autonomy and administrative simplification.
According to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Roberto Roncon de Albuquerque intends, in terms of human resources, to promote merit, establish the status of the physician-researcher and enhance research careers, as well as to develop entrepreneurship and foster applied research partnerships with the business community.
In terms of teaching, the plan also provides for the modernisation of the medical degree programme through more practical and interactive methodologies, notably through the inclusion of new artificial intelligence tools, as well as the implementation and development of new bachelor’s degree programmes in Digital Health and Biomedical Innovation and in Public Health Sciences.
It should be noted that Roberto Roncon de Albuquerque, aged 48, holds a PhD in Medicine, with a specialisation in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences. As a researcher, he is the author and co-author of more than 90 scientific articles, having participated in international research projects and networks, including European consortia and multicentre studies in the field of extracorporeal organ support and mechanical circulatory support.
At RISE-Health, he is the principal investigator of the Innovation and Development in Cardiovascular Intervention group, within Thematic Area 1 – Clinical and Translational Research in Cardiovascular Diseases.
At FMUP, where he completed his entire academic career, he served as chair of the institution’s Academic Council, playing a central role in the curriculum reform of the Medicine degree programme, which will come into effect this academic year. More recently, he was elected to the Scientific Council and appointed its Chair.
The inauguration ceremony will be scheduled by the Rector of the University of Porto, Pedro Nuno Teixeira.