Rosalia Vargas is the President of Ciência Viva - National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture, Portugal, and Director of the Pavilion of Knowledge, the Lisbon Science Centre. Since 1996, has been leading the creation of a network of science centres in Portugal, currently with 21 members. President of Ecsite (2013-2015) and board member of ASTC (2016-2022). Her academic and professional development covers Education, Media Studies, Political Governance, and Scientific and Technological Culture. Other key positions include: Member of the discussion group of the “Museums in the Future” project, created by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, member of the Council for Monitoring the National Plan for the Arts, member of Open University Advisory Board; member of the International Committee of Copernicus Science Centre, Warsaw. Elected by the Jury of Blooloop 50 Museum Influencers List 2022.

Mr. Msaed Alyaseen currently serves as the General Manager at The Scientific Center of Kuwait (TSCK). He has over 25 years of experience bridging the gap between technical expertise and practical application.

Alyaseen holds an MBA from Kuwait University and a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, USA. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Throughout his distinguished career, Alyaseen has successfully led and managed complex projects across various sectors, including real estate construction and IT consistently delivering outcomes that meet budget and timeframe constraints.

Alyaseen's diverse skill set encompasses engineering principles, financial acumen in accounting and finance, and strong operational leadership. His career spans both the private and government sectors, where he has held several executive positions, providing him with a broad perspective and valuable insights.

His entrepreneurial spirit shines through his successful venture in project and operation management practices. He has gained a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the research and development landscape.

Looking forward, his steadfast dedication to advancing knowledge remains firm. From collaborating with top researchers drive innovation and address future challenges to creating a lasting social impact, Alyaseen aims to raise awareness and encourage community action. With a focus on enhancing education, research, and conservation programs, he strives to build a better world.

Maissa Azab has 20 years of experience working in not-for-profit event and project management, as well as writing, editing, and publishing. Currently, Maissa is the Executive Director of the NAMES network, where she strategizes and oversees the fulfilment of the network’s mission, goals, and objectives. She leads a multi-functional team, developing and offering unique services, activities, and projects that aim to build and reinforce the science engagement community in North Africa and Middle East! Her passion and mission is engaging, informing, educating, and inspiring communities and individuals, whether science engagement professionals or the public at large.

Maissa is also the Head of the Cultural Outreach Publications Unit at the Library of Alexandria and Editor-in-Chief of SCIplanet, a science popularization magazine published in Arabic and English. She manages a team of four editors and two graphic designers, producing mostly promotional, but also educational, publications for 15 different departments within the Cultural Outreach Sector that aim to promote and popularize science, art, and heritage through a diversity of activities. SCIplanet magazine, both printed and online, was Maissa's initiative and it has greatly developed since it was launched as a newsletter in 2009.

Paulo Dimas is the Vice President of Product Innovation at Unbabel, contributing to building the world’s first Language Operations platform combining AI and human intelligence. Paulo is also the CEO of the Center for Responsible AI, a consortium led by Unbabel joining AI startups, research centers, one law firm, and industry-leading companies with the mission to spark the next generation of AI products driven by the principles and technologies of Responsible AI.

Since 2011, Luís Azevedo Rodrigues has served as the Executive Director of Centro Ciência Viva de Lagos, bringing a solid background in Paleontology (PhD) and extensive experience in science communication, teaching, and museum research. He leads innovative projects in science tourism, digital education, and the integration of AI in science communication, with international workshops and pioneering 3D content. He has contributed to European initiatives such as EuroScitizen and Make It Open and has presented at global science centre summits. As a science writer and editor, he reaches broad audiences through newspapers, podcasts, and blogs. His work bridges research, education, and technology to make science accessible to all.

Pedro Russo is a University Professor in Astronomy & Society at Leiden University, the Netherlands and a member of the board of directors of Ciência Viva, the Portuguese National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture. Pedro leads the Astronomy & Society Group. Dr. Russo was the global coordinator for the United Nation's International Year of Astronomy 2009. Pedro is involved with several international organizations, like the International Astronomical Union, European Astronomical Society, ECSITE. His work has received several awards, including Seeds Special Award 2009, Scientix Best Educational Resource in 2015 and 2016, Most Innovative Educational Activities in 2017 and 2018 by HundrED, 2018 Leiden University’s K.J. Cath Prize and the first NWO Science Communication Award in 2020.

Cátia Cardoso is, currently, the Head of the Department of Public Engagement with Science and Technology at Ciência Viva the Portuguese National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture. She has been pursuing a career in science as an astronomer, a science communicator, and an educator. She was awarded her PhD in Astrophysics in 2012, from the University of Exeter, and continued her research career as a post-doc at the Astronomical Observatory of Turin. In 2014, she transitioned to the field of science communication and education and became the ESERO Portugal project manager at Ciência Viva. Between 2017 and early 2024, she was a STEM Didactics Expert within the European Space Agency Education Office.

Sævar Helgi Bragason is an science educator and communicator. He has background in geology and astronomy with years of experience teaching astronomy to people of all ages. Sævar is a frequent guest on radio to talk about science in general, as well as being the host of a prime time TV show on science and technology. He is an author of best selling books on science for kids and adults. What Sævar enjoys the most is to look up into a starry sky and show others the wonders of the universe, be it with naked-eye or through a telescope. Sævar has received numerous awards and recognitions for outstanding science communication.

Ana Noronha is Executive Director of Ciência Viva, the Portuguese agency for scientific culture. At Ciência Viva, she coordinates initiatives about education and public awareness of science at national and international level, particularly on space science and ocean literacy. She coordinates the ESERO Portugal (European Space Education Resource Office established with ESA), advises the Space Group of the European Association of science centres and museums (ECSITE) and belongs to the ESA Advisory Committee on Education. With a PhD in Physics, she previously worked at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon.

Senior Educational Programmer I 2025- present The Scientific Center of Kuwait• Supervised Educational programmers and guided them to create successfulprogramming• Trained Educators and Trainers on science communication, program facilitationand how to foster critical thinking skills in the youth and the workspace.

Explainer I 2021-2024 The Scientific Center of Kuwait• Designed, developed and delivered science programs for people of all ages andbackgrounds with a heavy focus on science communication.• Taught science-based programs using STEAM methodologies and inquiry basedlearning to students, educators and professionals in different fields.• Demonstrated strong administrative skills in maintaining office records, budgetingand financial records.

Wayne State University, Detroit, Ml I 2015-2020 Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences• Minor in philosophy• Research with Youth Empowerment Solutions for HealthyRelationships (YES-HR)• Kuwaiti Organization president

Álvaro Manuel Madureira Pinto got his graduation in geology by the University of Porto and his master’s degree in mineralogy and metallogeny by the University of Lisbon. He was mineralogist at the Neves Corvo mine and later at the National Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Lisbon. He was soon invited assistant professor at FCUL (Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa), where is currently a senior technician and a Researcher of the IDL – Instituto Dom Luíz da Universidade de Lisboa (IDL). He was part of the organization of national and international scientific congresses and meetings and took part in 5 international oceanographic missions in the Atlantic, Pacific and Artic Oceans. Álvaro engaged in several scientific research projects promoted by both the industry and academy. He is the author or co-author of more than three dozen scientific texts published in national and foreign journals. Álvaro has been guest speaker in both national and international organizations. He remains linked to the national and international mining industry in the field of applied minerology and geometallurgy. Additionally, is member of the Commission for the Portuguese Geology Olympiad (CNOG). Currently and since its establishment in 2010, he is the Executive Director of Centro Ciência Viva do Lousal – Mina de Ciência which comprises various spaces, including the Science Centre, an underground mining gallery, an open-pit mining operation and a Mining Museum, housed in the old Lousal Mine Power Plant.

Mafalda Frade, who graduated in Animal Biology from the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon, is an experienced, creative, and enthusiastic professional with skills in Experience Design, Scientific Communication, and Content Development.

Passionate about transforming knowledge into memorable experiences, Mafalda has been immersed in scientific communication within museums since 2000. With more than two decades of experience, she has specialised in designing and developing exhibitions focused on science, aiming to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding when addressing urgent issues.

In 2016, she joined the Exhibition Team at Ciência Viva, where she has actively contributed to the conception, development, and adaptation of unique and innovative science and technology experiences and exhibitions on a wide range of trending topics that have been attracting and engaging millions of visitors.

Camilla Tham is a British museum professional and climate communicator known for her work at the Natural History Museum in London.As of 2025, she serves as the Head of International Partnerships, focusing on global collaboration and public engagement around climate change, biodiversity, and the Anthropocene.Tham has played a central role in the museum’s climate-focused programming, including the award-winning "Our Broken Planet" exhibition series, which was a finalist in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Action Awards in 2022. She also led the "Generation Hope" initiative, a multi-day event combining science, storytelling, and activism to inspire climate action across generations. In addition to her curatorial and partnership work, Tham has represented the museum at major international forums such as COP27 and COP15, where she chaired discussions on using art and science to engage the public in environmental issues. Her academic background includes a degree from the University of Bath. Through her work, Camilla Tham has helped position the Natural History Museum as a leading voice in climate education and public engagement.