Team

Carina Dantas

CEO

With over 25 years of experience, there is not enough time in one life for all I wish to do!
I have written hundreds of proposals – and love it – but really value implementing many of them, with all their challenges and rewards, such as people’s smiles when they enhanced their quality of life, literacy, or the ability to voice their concerns.
Besides being SHINE’s CEO, I am Director of the SHAFE Foundation – Smart Healthy Age-friendly Environments. As a cancer survivor, this is one specific area where I hope to bring some value.

Luís Dias

COO

I am an IT Engineer, software developer and trainer with over 18 years of experience. I worked in the mental health area, focusing on reintegrating people into the job market by enhancing their personal and digital skills.

As COO of SHINE, I manage projects, write proposals, network, and engage with stakeholders. I develop digital tools, including websites and educational platforms, serving as the main software developer. I am passionate about games and gadgets, and in my spare time, I enjoy playing (badly) guitar.

Luís Dias

COO

Natália Machado

Researcher

Human rights protection and civil society engagement have always driven my work. As a Brazilian in Portugal, I combine my PhD research with coordinating European projects to create real impact. My legal expertise focuses on the ethical inclusion of vulnerable people in research, while safeguarding their rights. A lifelong cultural traveller, I bring this worldview to my role as Project Director at SHINE, where academic rigor meets real-world social change.

Joana Vieira

Researcher | Designer

I am a designer with over 9 years of experience, passionate about blending design and technology to create meaningful human-centered solutions.
At SHINE, I work as a researcher and head of the design team. SHINE gives me the opportunity to work with culturally diverse and multidisciplinary teams allowing me to enrich my knowledge and bring many good practices and concepts that I can apply in my work as a designer.
Outside of work you’ll find me with my family, hanging out with my pets, or getting lost in a good videogame.

Joana Vieira

Researcher | Designer

Miriam Cabrita

Researcher

I’m a Biomedical Engineer with a strong passion for digital health innovation. I have worked on European projects since 2013 and I quickly became hooked on the energy of multicultural and multidisciplinary teams. My happy place? Co-creating inclusive digital health solutions that bring together patients, healthcare professionals, and tech wizards, as the magic happens in the intersection between these worlds. Back in my academic days, my research centred on tailoring digital health solutions for physical activity promotion. In short: I translate complex health challenges into human-centred solutions, with just enough caffeine, passion, and curiosity to keep things interesting.

Juliana Louceiro

Researcher

I have Masters in Educational Sciences and Psychology and am currently a PhD candidate in Organisational Psychology, focusing on Knowledge Management and Decent Work.

My path has been guided by a deep belief in inclusion, equity and the power of education to transform lives. I have worked with harm reduction teams and vulnerable communities, always with the aim of creating a significant impact.

At SHINE, I develop lifelong learning and social inclusion strategies through research into adult education. As a mum, I feel inspired to help shape a fairer, more hopeful world.

Juliana Louceiro

Researcher

I have Masters in Educational Sciences and Psychology and am currently a PhD candidate in Organisational Psychology, focusing on Knowledge Management and Decent Work.

At SHINE, I develop lifelong learning and social inclusion strategies through research into adult education. As a mum, I feel inspired to help shape a fairer, more hopeful world.

Inês Saavedra

Researcher

With a background in Physics (BSc and MSc), I later shifted to a Master’s in Adult Education and Community Intervention, driven by a strong interest in social innovation and lifelong education. Since then, I have worked with children, youth, and adults in both research and practice, focusing on sustainability, arts and culture, and digital skills. As a Project Manager and Researcher at SHINE, I value participatory processes that give space to different voices and support more inclusive, fair, and collaborative approaches to social change.

Harm op den Akker

Researcher

I am a computer scientist with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction and a PhD in personalizing Digital Health. I have been active in the Research & Development community since 2009, contributing to many research projects, scientific publications and software development activities. My personal focus has always been on creating enjoyable and effective user experiences through virtual agents and natural language interaction. As a project manager at SHINE, I help coordinate European Projects to reach a high societal impact.

Harm op den Akker

Researcher

Ângela Freitas

Researcher

As a human health geographer, I view geography as more than just maps – it is a lens through which I analyse how our neighbourhoods and cities shape health, well-being and life opportunities. Urban health, spatial justice, and place-based strategies are where I bring the most value. By day, besides being a project manager at SHINE, I research and teach at the University of Coimbra. By heart, I am a placemaking and co-creation advocate, nature-loving, music festival enthusiast, and proud dog mom to a beagle called Mel.

Andrea Marinho

Researcher

I have a Law degree and a special interest for human rights protection for a more inclusive and fair society. Over the last years, I worked as a jurist in a finance service, practiced law, given training in social and organizational law and citizenship, and lived in Switzerland for 11 years.

As a researcher and a project manager at SHINE, I hope to contribute to the promotion of inclusion in projects with high social impact.

I like to write, spend time with family and friends and walk by the sea.

Andrea Marinho

Researcher

Paola Bello

Researcher

I am a Project manager based in Italy, with a long experience in European projects covering socialpolicies, global health, medical research, and gender issues. Since my degree in InternationalRelations, I had the chance to live, study and work in different countries, such as France, Belgiumand UK. I strongly believe in Europe and in European collaboration. I am passionate aboutresearch, especially in the healthcare sector, and an enthusiast on gender issues, aiming overallfor better care for all and a higher quality of life.

Frederico Amaral

Researcher | Trainer

I am a Portuguese and French language teacher with 23 years’ experience as a trainer in professional inclusion programs for adults with mental illness. I also contributed to the pedagogical development of projects in this area.
At SHINE, I am a researcher and trainer for several projects.
I’m also curious about technology and the way it integrates into the lives of people with different interests, aspirations, difficulties, facilitating many of the daily tasks and helping to overcome obstacles.

Frederico Amaral

Researcher | Trainer

Flávia Rodrigues

Researcher | Communication

I am a Communication and Public Relations professional, both by heart and by training.
I am passionate about how design, architecture and communication can help build more inclusive and healthier spaces.
I love writing news pieces about exciting new projects and sharing stories that matter.
Talking to people from different backgrounds and listening to their experiences truly inspires me.
Some of my favourite work has been with older adults, boosting digital skills and reducing loneliness.

José Câmara

Researcher | Designer

I am a designer and multimedia creator with over 15 years of experience in the creative industry. I previously ran my own advertising agency, collaborating with clients across various industries. At SHINE, I focus on creating multimedia assets, marketing materials, and dissemination content for social innovation projects—helping to enhance project visibility and knowledge sharing. I enjoy mixing creativity with technology to experiment with new digital experiences. When I am not working, you will probably find me doing archery, cooking something new, snapping photos, or exploring the outdoors.

José Câmara

Researcher | Designer

Bruna Catarino

Researcher | Designer

I am a graphic designer with a special interest in projects that combine creativity and social impact. I am currently studying for a Master in Cultural Management, where I explore ways of promoting culture as an agent of transformation. I have a strong involvement in activism and volunteering initiatives, areas that I consider fundamental to my personal and professional career. I believe in design and culture as powerful tools for communicating ideas with purpose and generating positive change. I enjoy working at SHINE’s team, learning from different contexts and contributing to meaningful projects.

José Miguel Marinho

Researcher | Designer

I have a degree in architecture and have been working in this field for over two decades. I beganmy professional career with my own architectural studio and then moved to Switzerland where Iworked as an architect and project manager. I took part in large-scale projects such as luxuryhotels, retirement homes and schools, work ingtogether with various countries inmultidisciplinary teams. At SHINE I am a researcher and designer. In my spare time, I enjoy doingsports as I was a roller hockey player and coach for over 30 years.

José Miguel Marinho

Researcher | Designer

Luís Pires

Researcher

I am a psychologist and a university teacher, with a strong passion for science. Since I finished myPhD in 2017, I have participated in both national and European projects linked to the areas ofhealth psychology, psychophysiology and neuropsychology. At SHINE I continue this experienceto be part of multidisciplinary and international teams that merge knowledge from differentareas of expertise. I am a family devoted man, with a wife and two daughters, and I try to spendas much time as possible with them, exploring wonderful places of our city, country, world!