INESC – Microsystems and Nanotechnologies (INESC-MN) is one of the 40 finalists of the EU Innovation Radar Prize 2019, in the category “Women Led Innovations.

“This appointment links up with our participation in the EU project – Magnamed – which was identified by the Horizon 2020 – Innovation Radar as a project with high potential in terms of innovation in nanotechnology applied to magnetic biosensors”, explains professor Susana Freitas, from the Department of Physics (DF) at IST and researcher at INESC-MN. “I coordinate the team that works in sensors, Verónica Romão coordinates the team responsible for biological detection and Sofia Martins leads the entrepreneurial team”, she adds.

“Magnamed stood out due to its versatile technology for biosensors based on magnetic detection. We have been using this technology for many years and for different purposes”, recalls professor Susana Freitas. The team was very pleased to know that INESC-MN is part of the finalists.

3 teams in each category will be elected after the public voting. Each team will then present a pitch before a jury in Brussels. Asked about a hypothetical victory, professor Susana Freitas says: “We are among the finalists, so we are hoping to win this prize”.

According to professor Susana Freitas, this appointment shows the importance of INESC-MN’s female potential. 57% of all INESC-MN employees are women. INESC-MN is a good example of gender balance in areas normally dominated by men, such as engineering, sensors, microelectronics”, stresses professor Susana Freitas, who also pointed out “our teams have very dynamic and inspiring female researchers”.