The Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab (DSIL) at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics is a dynamic initiative converging expertise in digital transformation and sustainability. Led by founder René Bohnsack, DSIL excels in research, publishing in renowned academic journals and actively engaging in European research projects. The lab's teaching arm offers innovative courses covering digital business models, international business, and sustainable energy transition across BSc, MSc, and MBA levels. DSIL's commitment to excellence, impact, respect, and innovation forms the core of its values. Through initiatives and collaborations with companies and institutions, DSIL embodies its vision to drive knowledge for value in the twin transformation to the digital age and sustainability, making a profound societal impact. The lab's outreach extends globally, with involvement in impactful projects addressing challenges in energy, healthcare, and urban resilience, showcasing a holistic approach to fostering innovation and sustainable development.
Founder
Researcher, PhD Student
Post-Doctoral Researcher
René Bohnsack, PhD, is an Associate Professor at CATÓLICA-LISBON, specializing in the commercialization of sustainable and digital technologies. His current research centers on token-based business models, competition in digital ecosystems, and the impact of digital technologies on sustainable development in business modeling. René presented his research findings in a well-received
TEDx talk in 2019.
Cláudia is a Research Fellow at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon, she has a Master’s degree in Research on Business and Administration from Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville.
Arash has a Ph.D. in Business Administration and Management from Universidade do Minho in Braga. He is currently researching new Business Models enabled by Digital Transformation Technologies, including blockchain, crypto tokens, digital assets, and NFTs.
Research Fellow
Post-Doctoral Researcher
Research Fellow
Margarita has a master’s degree in Sustainable Development from Uppsala University, Sweden. She is currently working on a research project about digitally enabled business models for a fair and sustainable energy transition.
Mickie has a Ph.D. in Business Ethics, with a focus on Data and AI Ethics. Her current research focus is on sustainability and ethics issues in the context of the implementation of AI in digital ecosystems.
Pascal completed his undergraduate studies in Industrial Engineering and is now focusing on Strategic Marketing in his Master's in Management. He has a strong passion for videography, particularly in utilizing AI to enhance video marketing strategies at the DSIL Lab.
Researh Fellow
Research Fellow
Software Developer
Visiting PhD Student
Julie has bachelor's degree in Marketing and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Management at Católica Lisbon. Being driven by strategy and research, her main focus at the DSI-Lab revolves around strategic management and the implications of AI on Business Development.
Mariana Morais Sarmento was a Research Fellow at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Management from Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics. Her role in the Lab was dedicated to content development for business model innovation and smart city innovation projects. Mariana is passionate about the sustainable economic development of developing economies and she is deeply interested in social innovation as well as impact ventures.
Tiago Antunes was a Software Developer at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon. Tiago has a Master’s Degree in Information Systems and Computer Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico – Lisbon, with a major specialisation in Software Engineering and minor specialisation in Enterprise Information Systems. He is skilled in web & mobile applications, and serious games development. He has been working mainly as a freelancer, collaborating with companies and organizations from different countries, in several areas of software engineering. In the Lab, Tiago was responsible for the analysis, design, and implementation of the applications that support DSIL projects on sustainability and the energy sector.
Alex was a visiting PhD student at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon coming from the University of Saarland in Germany. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and focuses his Phd research on the beneficial utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in business. During his time at the lab Alex was dedicated to the implementation of AI-solutions within business models and entrepreneurship activities.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Fellow
Research Fellow
Research Fellow
Christina M. Bidmon was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon. Her research was positioned at the interface between corporate strategy, sustainability, and digital innovation. Before joining DSIL, Christina was a Ph.D. Student at Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences in Denmark. She studied International Business Administration and Management in Hamburg, Copenhagen, and Guadalajara. Christina has worked in management consulting and corporate strategy functions for companies in Germany, the US, and Chile.
Melissa was a Research Fellow at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Management from the University of Amsterdam and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics from the Goethe-University Frankfurt. Throughout her studies she also spent time at the Toulouse School of Economics as well as the University of New South Wales in Sydney. In addition, she has gained practical experience in finance, international strategy and business development. Her research interests focus on sustainable business models and environmental management.
Mariana Nunes was a Católica Lisbon student of the Master’s in Management with Specialisation in Strategy and Entrepreneurship. Her work in the lab was dedicated to a research project on Business Models & Smart Cities. Mariana is passionate about (sustainable) business model innovation and gaining insights from data. She is eager for new realities and challenges.
Henriette Närger was a Research Fellow at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from LMU Munich. Throughout her studies she specialized in “Technology & Innovation” and was involved in social entrepreneurship research projects and digital business modelling. Overall, she is fascinated by technologies that enable social and/or sustainable innovations.
Alina Margolina was a Project Manager at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon. She has a Master’s degree in Innovation and Product Management from the University of Applied Sciences-Upper Austria (Wels, Austria) and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Communications from the Higher School of Economics (Moscow, Russia). Her work in the Lab was dedicated to business model development for sustainability and the energy sector. In addition, she was interested in such fields as management of the fuzzy front end of innovation, customer co-creation and open innovation. Alina also has international experience in the fields of strategic foresight, product marketing management and marketing communications
Project Manager
Visiting Bachelor Student
Visiting Bachelor Student
Visiting PhD Student
Fabian is an intern at the Digital+Sustainable innovation lab at Católica Lisbon. He is currently doing his bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg. Fabian is contributing his knowledge in the field of Environmental Management to the startup “Susdee”, which was founded at DSIL. Fabian enjoys taking on new tasks and is always eager to get involved when it comes to sustainability.
Maria was a visiting PhD student at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon coming from the University of Almería in Spain. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Business and Administration and Languages from that Spanish University and a double Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Granada in Spain and from the École Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Saint-Étienne in France. She has practical experience in engineering project management, public works and international relationships. She has always aimed to link her technical skills with her knowledge in management and she carries out her PhD research on Sustainable Cities Management.
Gabriel Andrade was an intern at the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab at Católica Lisbon, where he worked with business strategy and innovation. He got his Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of São Paulo, Brazil
DSI-LAB is a research group at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, specializing in digital technologies and sustainable business models.
