Mendes (born in Porto on June 22, 1962) is a Portuguese physicist (statistical physics) and professor of physics, best known for his work and contributions to the field of network theory.
Mendes was head of the Physics Department from December 2004 to February 2010.
From October 2009 to February 2010 he was director of the Associated Laboratory of the Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (I3N).
From February 2010 to February 2018 served as vice-rector for Research and Doctoral Studies at the University of Aveiro.