Sofia Gorito Santos, currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at LSRE-LCM, has received a Special Mention in the Carbon Journal Prize, which recognizes scientists whose PhD thesis has demonstrated outstanding and innovative research in carbon materials science and technology (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/carbon/about/awards/carbon-prize-2026).

With this distinction the recipients are invited to join Carbon's extended Advisory Board for a three-year term and are offered the opportunity to publish a review or research article in Carbon.

This recognition highlights the quality and impact of her research and reflects a continued commitment to advancing the field of carbon materials science and technology.

On June 17, 2026, José Barbosa, a PhD student from the LSRE-LCM research group of AliCE, was awarded the Best Presentation Prize in the competition “ExpliC2a-Me como se nem tivesse 18 anos 2026” (“Explain It to Me as If I Were Not Even 18”), held during the XIII National Meeting on Catalysis and Porous Materials and the IV Carbon Group Meeting.

The competition challenged participants to present their research in a clear, accessible, and engaging manner for a non-specialized audience. José Barbosa’s work, focused on the development of carbon-based catalysts through 3D-printing technologies for water treatment applications, stood out for its highly interactive and demonstrative presentation style.

This distinction highlights the importance of science communication as an essential skill in a researcher’s career, demonstrating that an excellent scientist must not only generate knowledge but also be able to communicate it effectively and engagingly to society.