João Pavão Martins is a Full Professor of Computer Science and Engineering in Instituto Superior Técnico (University of Lisbon).He was one of the persons behind the creation of the Computer Science and Engineering degree of Instituto Superior Técnico in 1988, and one of the founders of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the same institute in 1998. Between 2002 and 2004 he was the head of this Department and again in 2009, for a two-year term. He is also a software industry entrepreneur.In 1986, together with Ernesto Morgado, he founded SISCOG - Sistemas Cognitivos, SA, a start up company devoted to the applications of Artificial Intelligence. Together they led the company to develop and deploy a series of complex software systems in railway and metro companies throughout the world. These systems plan and manage more than 20,000 people, affect the life of millions of passengers, and have been awarded by several prestigious organisations in Europe and the United States