Gabriela Alexandra Garcia da Silva

My name is Gabriela, and I am a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Aveiro, specializing in Engineering and Product Development. My research focuses on the integration of Artificial Intelligence into product design and development, I explore how AI can be meaningfully and consciously embedded across the entire product development process supporting more informed, sustainable, and collaborative design practices. I am currently funded by the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia), within a doctoral research project entitled “AI in Product Development: A Framework for Co-Creation & Responsible Innovation”.

My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Design (2022) at the University of Aveiro, where I developed a multidisciplinary foundation spanning product design, graphic design, and UX/UI. Motivated by the ambition to bridge design and engineering, I pursued a Master’s degree in Engineering and Product Design at the same institution, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. My master’s thesis, “Smart Pantry System for Zero-Waste and Packaging-Free Household Consumption”, addressed critical challenges related to food waste and plastic overuse. This work resulted in two international conference presentations, two publications in books of abstracts, and a full paper published in the Springer Series in Design and Innovation (Scopus-indexed). I have also prepared applications for national patent and trademark registration. I completed my Master’s in 2024 with a final grade of 17/20, achieving 19/20 in my dissertation.

Beyond my academic work, I have been actively involved in extracurricular and associative activities. I served as a board member of the University of Aveiro’s Design Students’ Association and contributed to the organization of several initiatives, including four editions of the Annual Design Students’ Gala, the Think Twice Hackathon (2021), and the International Conference on Illustration and Animation (CONFIA’21). I was also awarded third place in the national competition to design Portugal’s official logo for EXPO2020. These experiences strengthened my skills in leadership, organization, and teamwork, reinforcing my engagement with both academic and professional communities.