João Ribeiro, professor at the Instituto Superior Técnico of the University of Lisbon (ULisboa), has been awarded a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) worth approximately 1.5 million euros. The grant will fund research on new techniques to study communication channels affected by synchronization loss, a type of error where parts of a message can be deleted, making decoding challenging.
Ribeiro’s project aims to advance the theory of codes and information, combining algebra, combinatorics, and geometry, with applications in high-density data storage systems, including DNA-based storage. The research could improve methods to protect information against errors that disrupt message synchronization, an area where current solutions remain limited.
“This grant allows me to build a strong research group in coding and information theory, including PhD students, postdocs, and collaborations with top research groups in Europe and beyond,” said João Ribeiro, an alumnus of Instituto Superior Técnico.
The University of Lisbon is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Training Program in Preparation of European Research Funding Proposals until September 14.
Source: University of Lisbon
About the Author
