The Alberto Romão Dias Prize was created by the Portuguese Society of Chemistry (SPQ) in 2009 to recognise a chemist, who by his scientific work and leadership has decisively contributed to the advancement of inorganic and organometallic chemistry in Portugal.

In the 2016 edition, the jury composed by Maria José Calhorda, Artur Silva, Joaquim Marçalo, Carlos C. Romão, José J. G. Moura, Mário N. Berberan e Santos and José A. Martinho Simões, have unanimously decided to award the Prize to António Pires de Matos, emeritus research coordinator at IST-Lisboa (CTN) and emeritus visiting professor at FCT-UNL.

From the early 1980’s, António Pires de Matos was a pioneer in inorganic chemistry, Chemistry Coordination Compounds and Organometallics of the f-Elements in Portugal. His scientific research showed a high quality and originality.

His work has been an inspiration for many researchers who continue to develop a research work in the field of inorganic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry of the f-Elements.

He was also one of the mentors for the creation of a research centre to study glass and ceramic on arts and their interaction with science, namely inorganic chemistry.

As a result of his enthusiasm, in 2002, was created the research unit VICARTE (Glass and Ceramic for the Arts), located in the Faculty of Sciences and Technology – Universidade Nova de Lisboa.

The Prize will be presented during the conference of the Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry Division of the Portuguese Society of Chemistry, which will take place in Sintra on 7th and 8th October (http://11icc.eventos.chemistry.pt/), where the awarded will present a plenary lecture.