26-03-2025
On March 18, the Rectorate Auditorium hosted the launch of the book Elvira – A Life of Passion for Science, written by Virgílio Azevedo, which aims to inspire new generations. The book traces the successful career of the NOVA FCT scientist, professor in the Department of Materials Science, and researcher at CENIMAT, who has accumulated numerous national and international awards and distinctions throughout her career.
"A university that looks to the future of knowledge while never forgetting the past is the ideal place to host this initiative," highlighted João Sàágua, Rector of NOVA University Lisbon, at the opening of the event, which filled the Rectorate Auditorium on the evening of March 18. "Even more so when it tells the story of someone who has always strived to do more and better."
Jorge Garcia, the representative of Bertrand, the book’s publisher, emphasized its inspirational role—"for promoting equality, serving as an example for students, and even for the undeniable importance of science in today's world." Rosalia Vargas, president of the Ciência Viva network of science centers and head of the Pavilhão do Conhecimento in Lisbon, who wrote the book’s preface, also highlighted: "She was born to understand and share science with others," further praising the fact that she still has "so much more to contribute to humanity."
The book’s author, a journalist who has interviewed Elvira Fortunato numerous times for Expresso, pointed out his biggest surprise after gathering all the information needed to write the book: "Elvira Fortunato’s national and international success is also due to her deeply democratic vision of teaching, researching, inventing, discovering, and leading..."
Rodrigo Martins, coordinator of CENIMAT and president of the European Academy of Sciences, highlighted one of the measures implemented by Elvira Fortunato during her tenure as Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education, which democratized higher education by granting 2% of students from Social Action Scholarship Tier A access to the courses of their choice. "We all know that the social elevator works, but it often needs a little push."
Finally, Elvira Fortunato, who has been part of NOVA since 1982 and has won three ERC (European Research Council) grants, achieving worldwide recognition for her inventions of paper transistors and transparent electronics, admitted that the book also brought her some revelations, particularly one shared by the current Rector. "But I won’t say what it is—you’ll have to read the book!" she joked. Lastly, she couldn’t resist drawing attention to a special surprise for readers: when pressing the sticker on the book’s cover, the heat makes the color disappear, revealing the phrase she is so well known for—“Never say it’s impossible.”
