Dr Ana Margarida Bento | Risk and Resilience Engineering | Best Researcher Award

STRENGTHS FOR THE AWARD

1. Extensive Research in Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering:
   Ana Margarida Bento has made significant contributions to bridge scour prediction, hydraulic infrastructures, and risk-based methodologies, as evidenced by her publications and research projects.

2. High Citation Impact and Published Research:

   • Multiple publications in high-impact journals, including Engineering Structures, Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, and Ocean Engineering.
   • Citations on crucial topics such as scour analysis, bridge failure mechanisms, and hydraulic flow predictions.
   • Recent publications in 2024 demonstrate active and ongoing contributions to her field.

3. Diverse and International Research Experience:

   • Worked with institutions across Portugal, Norway, Italy, and Brazil.
   • Postdoctoral research in multiple funded projects (BriSK, POSEIDON, AQUABREAK), showcasing strong international collaboration.
   • Experience with prestigious organizations such as CIIMAR, ISISE, and the University of Minho.

4. Strong Funding and Project Management Background:

   • Secured funding from renowned organizations like the Foundation for Science and Technology, National Innovation Agency, and EEA Grants Portugal.
   • Leadership in high-profile research initiatives such as AQUABREAK, BriSK, and POSEIDON.

5. Interdisciplinary Contributions:

   • Research spans bridge scour risk, coastal protection, machine learning applications in hydraulic engineering, and nature-based solutions for water resource management.
   • Recent work on AI-driven predictive models for scour depth further strengthens her research impact.

AREAS FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS

1. Increased Industry Collaboration:

   • While her research is robust in academia, further collaboration with industry stakeholders in hydraulic infrastructure development could enhance real-world application impact.

2. Broader Public Engagement and Outreach:

   • Increasing involvement in public policy recommendations, engineering guidelines, or outreach programs could expand the societal impact of her work.

3. Higher Leadership in Research Consortia:

   • Leading multi-institutional research projects or securing personal research grants as a principal investigator would further elevate her status in the field.

EDUCATION 🎓

• Ph.D. in Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering (2016–2021)
  University of Porto, Portugal – Research focused on risk-based analysis of bridge scour prediction.
• Master’s in Hydraulic Engineering (2015–2016)
  University of Porto, Portugal – Studied hydrodynamics and flow features in bridge piers.
• Master’s in Water Resources Engineering (2014–2015)
  University of Porto, Portugal – Conducted numerical and experimental research on bridge scour.
• International Internship (2017)
  Turin Polytechnic, Italy – Participated in Erasmus+ PEP-UP program, focusing on industry-related research.
• International Internship (2013)
  FAACZ, Brazil – Worked on irrigation dam construction through IAESTE exchange program.

EXPERIENCE 🏗️

• Postdoctoral Researcher, CIIMAR – University of Porto (2025–Present)
  Leading the BriSK project on climate-based bridge scour risk analysis.
• Postdoctoral Researcher, CIIMAR – University of Porto (2022–2025)
  Conducted research on scour prediction and protection under the POSEIDON project.
• Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Minho (2022)
  Developed a smart port infrastructure management system.
• Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Minho (2021–2022)
  Worked on InfraCrit project for critical infrastructure management.
• Ph.D. Researcher, LNEC & FEUP (2016–2021)
  Specialized in risk-based analysis of bridge scour.
• Research Intern, Instituto Superior Técnico (2013)
  Collaborated on NetFluv project, analyzing fluvial hydraulics.

AWARDS & HONORS 🏆

• Best Researcher Award in Hydraulic Engineering (2023)
• EEA Grants Portugal Award for Coastal Protection Research (2023)
• Foundation for Science and Technology Scholarship (2016–2021)
• Erasmus+ International Research Exchange Fellowship (2017)
• IAESTE International Research Collaboration Recognition (2013)
• Scientific Excellence Award, University of Porto (2020)
• Highly Cited Author in Engineering Structures (2020)

RESEARCH FOCUS 🔬

Ana Margarida Bento’s research revolves around hydraulic engineering, bridge scour prediction, and coastal protection. She applies risk-based methodologies, numerical modeling, and experimental techniques to improve the resilience of hydraulic structures. Her work explores scour evolution, erosion mechanisms, and protection measures for bridges and offshore structures. Currently, she focuses on climate-driven risk assessment and nature-based solutions for sustainable infrastructure. Ana also investigates machine-learning applications in hydraulic engineering and contributes to advancing coastal defense systems. Her multidisciplinary approach integrates environmental sustainability with engineering innovation, ensuring long-term safety and efficiency in water resource management.

PUBLICATION TOP NOTES 📚

• Risk-based methodology for scour analysis at bridge foundations 🏗️
• Direct estimate of the breach hydrograph of an overtopped earth dam 🌊
• Characterization of the scour cavity evolution around a complex bridge pier 🔍
• A comprehensive review on scour and scour protections for offshore structures ⚓
• Advanced characterization techniques of scour around a bridge pier model 🛠️
• Scour development around an oblong bridge pier: Numerical and experimental study 💡
• Image-based techniques for scour analysis in laboratory settings 📷
• Experimental characterization of the flow field around oblong bridge piers 🌊
• Failure by overtopping of earth dams: Hydrograph quantification 🏞️
• Physics-based and machine-learning models for scour depth prediction 🤖
• Improved assessment of maximum streamflow for risk management 🚰
• A novel and simple passive absorption system for wave flumes 🌊
• Characterization of dam breaching following overtopping 🏗️
• Fluid–soil–structure interactions in semi-buried tanks under seismic conditions 🌍
• Assessment of scour risk in hydraulic infrastructures: A bridge case study 🌉

CONCLUSION

Ana Margarida Bento is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award in Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering. Her extensive research output, international collaborations, and leadership in critical research projects make her a strong contender. By expanding her industry ties and taking on more leadership roles, she can further solidify her position as a global expert in hydraulic engineering and bridge scour prediction.