ITI researcher Décio Alves receives +Valor Madeira Award
Décio Damasceno Mendonça Alves, researcher at the Interactive Technologies Institute, has received the 5th edition of the +Valor Madeira Award, presented by the Assembleia Legislativa da Região Autónoma da Madeira.
The award recognized his doctoral thesis, “Previsão a muito curto prazo da velocidade e direção do vento para as operações de tráfego aéreo no Aeroporto da Madeira” (“Very Short-Range Forecasting of Wind Speed and Direction for Air Traffic Operations at Madeira Airport”). The research develops methods for short-term forecasting of wind conditions to support air traffic operations at the Madeira Airport. Given the demanding meteorological conditions that frequently affect the airport, the work contributes to improving operational safety and efficiency in air traffic management, strengthening a critical infrastructure for regional mobility and economic activity.
The doctoral research was conducted under the supervision of Morgado Dias, with co-supervision from Fábio Mendonça and Sheikh Mostafa, all researchers at the Interactive Technologies Institute.
The +Valor Madeira Award recognises academic research with clear societal relevance. In this edition, the jury evaluated a record number of 53 submissions, and the winning prize includes a €5,000 monetary award.
This work illustrates the strategic relevance of scientific research for regional infrastructures. The Madeira Airport plays a central role in the region’s mobility, tourism, economy, and territorial cohesion. By addressing the complex meteorological conditions that affect its operation, the research contributes to strengthening operational safety and improving the efficiency of air traffic management. It demonstrates how scientific research can generate direct societal impact and support responses to concrete public challenges.
Images: Assembleia Legislativa da Região Autónoma da Madeira.
