CURA Lab is happy to announce that Eugénio Rodrigues has received two diplomas from the Rectory of the University of Coimbra. Awarded on February 19, 2026, these diplomas recognize the exceptional scientific quality and impact of the recent research in architectural engineering and climate resilience.
Signed by the Vice-Rector for Research, João Ramalho-Santos, the awards celebrate two papers published in the journal Building and Environment. They highlight CURA Lab’s ongoing mission to explore the coevolution of buildings and society under climate change to develop resilient, future-ready design strategies.
Top 1% in the Field: Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa
The first diploma acknowledges the publication of the paper, “A Morris sensitivity analysis of an office building’s thermal design parameters under climate change in sub-Saharan Africa,” also authored by Ibrahim Tajuddeen. This work has been recognized as corresponding to the top 1% of publications in its field.
Top 5% in the Field: Rethinking Thermal Mass in the Iranian Climate
The second diploma was awarded for the paper, “Diminishing benefits of thermal mass in Iranian climate: Present and future scenarios,” which was recognized as corresponding to the top 5% of publications in its field. It is also authored by Nazanin A. Fereidani, Marco S. Fernandes, and Adélio R. Gaspar.
Both diplomas formally recognize these works as a strong contribution to the “research excellence and scientific quality of the University of Coimbra.”
While Eugénio Rodrigues is the named recipient on the diplomas, research of this scale is a collaborative endeavor. A special thank you goes out to all the authors who contributed to these papers.