Sergi Bermúdez i Badia
With a diverse scientific and professional trajectory, my career spans academia, research, and leadership roles. Currently, I am an Associate Professor with Habilitation at the University of Madeira, actively contributing since 2010. I earned a Telecommunications Engineering degree from UPC and a Ph.D. from ETHZ, conducting research in Europe and the USA, including EPFL, ETHZ, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and Carnegie Mellon University. My interdisciplinary journey encompasses telecommunications, neuroscience, digital media, and clinical research, shaping my vision of interdisciplinary research, culture, and leadership. I lead the NeuroRehabLab research group at the University of Madeira, with approximately 15 members exploring the intersection of technology, neuroscience, and clinical practice. As the Scientific Director of The Quality-of-Life Technologies Center of Madeira, I contribute to consolidating Madeira as an innovation hub in rehabilitation and quality-of-life technologies. Currently serving as the outgoing President of the International Society for Virtual Rehabilitation, I provided strategic direction during two mandates, fostering events and collaboration in rehabilitation technologies. Dedicated to advancing research, my extensive publication record includes over 150 publications and over 4600 citations. I received 19 awards and established a startup company, Musiquence Technologies. With a central focus on connecting basic neuroscience, clinical research, and the creation of cost-effective technologies, my body of work encompasses 61 peer-reviewed journal articles, 87 conference papers, and 18 book chapters.They propose novel paradigms at the intersection of technology, neuroscience, and clinical practice, forming the basis for practical tools and applications. Participation in 9 competitive research projects covering Healthcare Technologies using Virtual Reality and Serious Games, Physiological Computing Systems, Exergaming for Older Adults, Human-Computer Interaction, and Cognitive Rehabilitation and Training, with a total budget exceeding 1 million euros, has resulted in prototypes deployed in real-world settings. My contributions have received acknowledgment, earning multiple awards that underscore the quality and innovation of my work. These recognitions span various categories, from scientific papers to innovation awards, highlighting the multifaceted impact of my research on both academic and practical fronts.