I hold a European PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Minho and the University of Aberdeen, with over 18 years of experience in molecular and cellular biology. My career has been shaped by significant contributions to understanding pathophysiological processes, particularly through research on protein trafficking dysregulation in infectious, cancerous, and neurological conditions. During my PhD, I discovered a critical link between nutrient signaling and transporter endocytosis, published in The Journal of Cell Biology, which laid the groundwork for my career’s focus on molecular mechanisms impacting human health. My postdoctoral research at NYU highlighted the role of SNX31 in bladder infection and cancer, deepening my expertise in protein trafficking and setting the foundation for my current focus on sorting nexins (SNXs) in neurobiology. Returning to Portugal, I lead research on SNX dysregulation's impact on brain function, proteostasis, and stress resilience at ICVS, University of Minho. My recent studies utilize SNX27-deficient rodent and C. elegans models as well as advanced viral and in vitro approaches to investigate SNX27’s role in cognition, anxiety, and cellular stress responses, yielding insights published in high-impact journals as last and corresponding author. Through collaborations with institutions in Singapore, Australia, and the USA, I have established SNX27 as a critical factor in brain health, with potential as a biomarker for stress-related disorders. I've actively supported knowledge dissemination and team development throughout my career, supervising over 20 BSc, MSc, and PhD students and organizing nationa/international scientific meetings. Recognized as an invited speaker at international conferences, I've also appeared on national television, sharing the societal impact of my work on health. My research has consistently secured competitive funding, including the NARSAD Young Investigator Grant (individual call) from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, an FCT project grant, plus distinct individual awards, underscoring my ability to lead impactful research projects. I have published 17 manuscripts in outstanding Q1 journals (JCB (2), TransPsychiatry, CMLS, NeurobiolStress, with h-index 9, >400 citations. Unlike those in large-group settings with collaborative publication boosts, my record reflects high individual effort, and my leadership in a small team. Balancing my scientific career with entrepreneurship, I co-founded IPLEXMED, 2021, a Univ Minho spin-off focused on decentralizing diagnostics through advanced graphene biosensors. I have actively contributed to IPLEXMED’s rapid growth, securing over €550K in funding, and receiving multiple awards, including , CaixaBank, She Loves Tech, the BfK Award, and EIT Health RIS and Innostars. IPLEXMED’s impact is amplified through clinical collaborations with 2CA-Braga, targeting respiratory infections diagnostics, with potential applications in additional medical conditions. A committed advocate for women in STEM, I was selected for the EIC Women in Leadership Program and the Empowomen cohort, reflecting my dedication to foster gender equity in science. I have been an active member of ICVS’s Image Commission, leading initiatives like Brain Awareness Week and engaging the public in neurosciences. My leadership extends to building inclusive environments in both academia and industry, promoting diverse perspectives essential to innovation. Looking forward, I am committed to expanding my national and international collaborations, further supporting scientific discovery and translation through team mentorship and continuous skill enhancement. My goal is to establish myself as an Independent Group Leader, advancing research that bridges fundamental science and clinical applications for societal benefit.