“Professor Cristina Sernadas was my teacher 37 years ago”. These were the words of the President of Técnico, at the opening session of professor Cristina Sernadas’ last lecture, held on 27th September, at Alameda campus. Professor Rogério Colaço also shared two things he learned from professor Cristina Sernadas – “queue management, which has been very useful” and “the IF, THEN, ELSE function”. “I would like to thank professor Cristina Sernadas for all she has given to Técnico, to the Country and to Science”, he added.
The Head of the Department of Mathematics (DMIST), professor José Mourão, highlighted professor Cristina Sernadas’ important role in the creation of the Teaching Unit in Logic and Computation. “Many thanks for all that you have given us and will continue to give”.
“The Teaching Unit in Logic and Computation played a very important role in Computer Science”, said professor Paulo Mateus, Coordinator of the Logic and Computation Scientific Area, DMIST, who also highlighted the importance of Logic and Computation in the creation of Técnico. “Professor Cristina Sernadas is an example to us all”.
The Técnico professor João Rasga (DMIST) talked about the academic path of professor Cristina Sernadas: the beginning of a teaching career at the Faculty of Sciences in 1971, the PhD from the University of London in 1980, and how she became a Técnico professor in 1986. As his former student, João Rasga recalled professor Cristina Sernadas: “Cristina didn’t make it easy for us, she was very demanding”. “Her dedication was constant”.
“Contribution to Logic and Computation. New Pure and Applied Mathematics Expressions” was the title of professor Cristina Sernadas’ last lecture. The Técnico professor referred to the Degree she obtained from the Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, and the PhD from the University of London. Professor Cristina Sernadas also talked about the creation of the Department of Statistics, Operational Research and Computation at the Faculty of Sciences and the Portuguese Statistical Society. She shared her research work, namely satisfaction systems, Hilbert calculus, paraconsistent logics and situation calculus, among other topics, and also referred to the publication of two books by Springer.
Professor Cristina Sernadas highlighted the influence of professor Jaime Campos Ferreira on her academic career, the creation of DMIST by professor Luís Magalhães and the creation of Computer Science and Engineering Degree. The various positions held at Técnico were also highlighted, such as the Presidency of the Centre for Applied Mathematics, the Presidency of the Unit of Logic and Computation, as well as the participation in the School Assembly and Assembly of Representatives.
