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About

About

Ana Cristina Pires de Oliveira was born in Espinho, Portugal, on January 13th of 1980. She is a Researcher at INESC TEC's Centre for Robotics and Autonomous Systems and has been awarded a 6-year junior research contract under FCT/MCTES (CEECIND/00835/2018) on "Mapping underwater geological resources with robotics: a system tool for space-earth interaction and validation". She has a European Doctorate in Geosciences (Geological Resources and Geomaterials field) and MSc in Georesources and Geotechnics from Aveiro University, a Post-Graduation Course in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Porto (FLUP), as well as a Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Degree (ISEP). She regularly collaborates as a researcher with the former training centers where spent over 11 years related to multi and interdisciplinary projects (Laboratory of Cartography and Applied Geology - LABCARGA|ISEP, and GeoBioTec|UA research unit). Between August 2019 to July 2020, she was an Invited-Scientist at the School of Engineering (ISEP), Polytechnic of Porto. Presently she has been involved in several projects related to sustainable sea/marine mining, geotechnologies, and georesources, such as EMSO-PT Project and SIDENAV (supported by P2020 and FCT), INSite (Project Manager), UNEXUP, and MineHeritage Projects (supported by EIT Raw Materials). She works very closely with the preparation and submission of scientific or up-scaling projects related to underwater technologies. She was also the first Portuguese woman to finish with success the Scientist-Astronaut Program (Basic Astronautics), Class of 1802, under the framework of Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere) supported by NASA. During the Fundamentals of Astronautics Course, that took place in the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Florida, USA) she had the chance to perform acrobatic flights to experience G-forces, high-altitude simulation, and slow-onset hypoxia effects, learn about Spacesuit donning, doffing, pressure regulation, and contingency operations, etc. Ana Pires continues to pursue space training and to attend the research programs, therefore she has completed several courses in the scope of the Applied Astronautics Program awarded by the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), namely: AER 101 Suborbital Space Environment (Aeronomy Concentration); BIO 103 Microgravity Space Suit Evaluation (Bioastronautics: IVA Space Suit Evaluation Concentration); EVA 101 Life Support Systems and EVA 103 Planetary Field Geology and EVA Tool Development (Bioastronautics: EVA Space Suit Evaluation Concentration). Currently, she is the Co-Chair Knowledge Management of ¿Space For All Nations¿ (SFAN) project developed by the International Institute for Astronautical Science (IIAS) and PoSSUM Program. Since 2018 she has also made efforts in Portugal to promote human space flight, astrogeology, technology, robotics, STEAM outreach activities, and has also been invited to numerous public talks, media interviews, and conference events. Ana Pires is also a Specialist Diver (SSI Certification), with Marine Ecology and Science of Diving specialty courses. Very recently, she was selected to be part of the main crew of the "GEO-Pegasus" team to carry out an analog mission in April-May 2023 in the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), located in Utah (USA), owned, and operated by the Mars Society.

Interest
Topics
Details

Details

005
Publications

2023

Engineering geosciences, geotechnics and functional geomaterials: new trends on GIS mapping, geotechnologies and design with geohazards

Authors
Chamine, HI; Pires, A; Fernandes, I; Prikryl, R; Tugrul, A; Duzgun, HS; de Vallejo, LIG;

Publication
SN APPLIED SCIENCES

Abstract

2023

Geotechnics, Georesources and Natural Hazards: Impacts in Marine Technology and Oceanic Engineering

Authors
Pires, A; Chaminé, HI;

Publication
Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation

Abstract
This essay addresses the importance of geotechnics and marine georesources in developing technologies. The study proposes a coastal and marine geoengineering approach that focuses on five domains (5G’s): georesources, geology, geotechnics, geomechanics and geotechnologies. These domains are considered in several engineering projects related to coastal, hydraulic, marine, and maritime applications. The reality of a world in rapid, continuous evolution has put into perspective a multidisciplinary approach combining different practices and coastal strategies. That is the main driving force that should be considered when dealing with geoengineering projects in general. Moreover, geological resources and the potential exploitation of mineral and rock raw materials boost innovative techniques and upscaling geo-robotic systems. Finally, the essay unravels new trends in challenging and extreme environments and natural hazards, highlighting emerging fields such as deep-sea mining, geo-exploration, offshore, coastal, harbour and marine geotechnics. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

2020

3d reconstruction of historical sites using an uav

Authors
Silva, P; Dias, A; Pires, A; Santos, T; Amaral, A; Rodrigues, P; Almeida, J; Silva, E;

Publication
Robots in Human Life- Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on Climbing and Walking Robots and the Support Technologies for Mobile Machines, CLAWAR 2020

Abstract
This paper addresses Three-Dimensional (3D) reconstruction of historical sites with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), combining the information from a visible spectrum camera with a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). The developed solution was validated in two sites located in Monastery of Tibães (Braga, NW Portugal), within the scope of MineHeritage project, which intends to reach society on the importance of raw materials through a historical approach. The outputs obtained from the datasets, resulted in a successfully 3D reconstruction of the two studied sites on the Monastery. Although the research is still ongoing on this topic, this paper is a starting point and an important contribution to this field and this type of scenarios. © CLAWAR Association Ltd.

2019

Shoreline and Coastal Terrain Mapping

Authors
Pérez-Alberti, A; Pires, A; Chaminé, HI;

Publication
Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series - Encyclopedia of Coastal Science

Abstract

2016

Combining coastal geoscience mapping and photogrammetric surveying in maritime environments (Northwestern Iberian Peninsula): focus on methodology

Authors
Pires, A; Chamine, HI; Piqueiro, F; Perez Alberti, A; Rocha, F;

Publication
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES

Abstract
Digital photogrammetry and GIS-based mapping are increasingly recognised as powerful tools in littoral issues. This paper considers the interoperability framework for high-resolution imagery acquisition and the development of coastal geoscience maps. The layered system architecture of the cartographic methodology is also explained. Moreover, it highlights a new approach to assessing heterogeneous geologic, geomorphological and maritime environments. The main goal of the present study was to test a new concept for photogrammetric images in order to assist modelling techniques, spatial analysis and coastal conceptual models. This approach proposes a methodological approach to coastal zone monitoring and to maritime forcing conditions evaluating. This approach will allow: (1) the acquisition of a large archive of high-resolution imagery; (2) the development of a coastal database including the entire data field and in situ assessments; (3) the study of coastal dynamics and shoreline evolution; (4) the assessment of the rock platforms and hydraulic structures; (5) the production of coastal geosciences maps. An integrated coastal geoscience and engineering methodology was outlined in NW of Iberian Peninsula (South Galicia and North/Central Portugal regions). This paper reports on the increased knowledge of the studied regions, providing essential data concerning coastal geo-morphodynamics. The overall assessment revealed additional evidence of erosion issues, which contributes to a better understanding of the hydraulic conditions. The main results are presented in regional coastal geoscience maps and local approach-outputs that could help government, local authorities and stakeholders to develop coastal management plans and to recommend strategies.

Supervised
thesis

2020

Medição de Dureza em Astrogeologia - Um Estudo Prévio (Hardness Measurement in Astrogeology - a Preliminary Study)

Author
Ana Catarina Moura Loureiro Costa

Institution
UP-FEUP