BEYOND THE LAB COAT: Ricardo Vidal Silva
Ricardo Vidal Silva is the complete name of our brave male technician at INEB world – which is predominantly populated by women. He is a very dear person to each one of us, who is always prompt to help at every circumstance. Besides being very efficient, Ricardo can always help everyone with a smile, even when enrolled with so many other tasks and responsibilities at the lab. Ricardo was born in Johannesburg (South Africa) in August 18th of 1984, but he has moved to Porto with his family in 1992 when he was 8 years old. In 2003 he started studying Biochemistry at FCUP/ICBAS at the University of Porto. Looking for a more specialized area, Ricardo took a post-graduation degree in Food, science and Technology at FCUP-UP and DEB UMinho.
After a 6 month experience working in a company of the Port wine cellars he had a short experience in a smaller company devoted to food control. Although he felt his future was committed to follow a career in a food industry, his experience in companies related to the field was not as enthusiastic as he expected, so he decided to try out and explore other choices. In February 2008, Ricardo arrived at INEB. He applied to a position as technician and so he started his path at INEB, step by step, learning, growing, “engineering” and living! It has been more than 7 years since Ricardo is with us and, it is certain that, each person of INEB is very grateful for all the excellent work, commitment, and contributions to INEB’s work. Moreover, Ricardo is also engaged with other activities at INEB. He is at the moment member of the science club organizing committee and has been (and still is) involved in other science awareness activities such school visits to INEB, Ciência Viva Program, participation on Mostra da UP, Visit to schools etc.
I would say that it is precisely the challenges I face everyday that motivate me in my work. In fact, every day I am faced with many and different problems from different people at INEB. Being able to help them solve their problems and by this way contribute to the advance in science is a rewarding feeling. It is good to feel that you are needed and to know that people value your opinion makes it worth all the troubles.
As a scientific challenge I could say that I wished to cure cancer or regenerate the heart among other daring objectives, but sincerely, I believe that the small steps for this road are equally important – and I truly believe that I contribute a little for everyone’s amazing achievements at INEB (and so do We, Ricardo!).
As for a “technical challenge” I could say that avoiding some problems in the lab to rise would be great.
INEB in one word
One word is difficult to describe anything, but anyway, maybe “Evolution” would be a good choice, since INEB has been evolving since its start and on the other hand, it is also responsible for evolution in science, in humans and in the way we think and pass technology…
Beyond the lab coat...
Beyond the lab coat, I own a company called “family”, where I am (one of) the CEO and I invest all my time and dedication, especially now, from 10 months ago. I must say it is a very successful company! As personal interests, I enjoy reading and writing and I also like sports, especially soccer, which I love both playing and watching every time I can at the Dragon Stadium!
The Movie
La vita è bella, Roberto Benigni (1997).
The Book
Gaspar e Mariana, Maria Teresa Maia Gonzalez.
The Trip
My favourite trip (or one of the best) was at Azores. As for a trip I wish to do some day, I would definitely love to go to Israel and Saudi Arabia.
If I wasn’t a scientist, I would be...
I really don’t know. I think I could be anything! From school days people often told me I could be a politician, but maybe I would prefer to be an architect, a writer or a professional in the automotive industry!