Biography: 

Helena Rocha holds a PhD in Polymer Science and Engineering (2023) and a Master's degree in Materials Engineering (2014) from the University of Minho, Portugal. She completed a two-year internship at the European Space Agency (ESA) (2015 – 2017), The Netherlands, working mainly on the characterization and space environmental testing of aerogel materials. Helena’s PhD thesis focused on the topic of structural health monitoring of polymeric composite materials, where she monitored the processing and fatigue tests of a composite overwrapped pressure vessel, with optical fiber sensors. Since January 2020, Helena is an R&D Engineer at PIEP in the area of fibre reinforced polymer composite materials and processes, and since 2023 is a Project Manager within the same institution and field.

About PIEP:

PIEP - Centre for Innovation in Polymer Engineering - is a private association, with a technological and scientific matrix and a business management model. Founded on December 13, 2000, by the initiative of the industry and in collaboration with the Department of Polymer Engineering of the University of Minho (DEP-UM) and the Support Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises and Innovation (IAPMEI), PIEP provides a prompt response in the delivery of products and services, oriented to the R&D+i needs of companies in the plastics and related sectors. PIEP acts in innovation activities, technology transfer, technical-scientific consultancy, services provision, testing and failure analysis, the development of new materials and products, processing technologies, and productive tools, based on the promotion of the principles of sustainable development. PIEP also contributes to training, supporting the development of human resources with capacity and experience in industrial innovation in the field of polymer engineering.