Dr Ana Hilario is a marine biologist with more than 20 years of experience (including PhD) in the study of deep-sea ecosystems. She holds a BSc in Aquatic Sciences from University of Porto (2001) and a PhD in Ocean and Earth Science from Southampton University (2005). From 2006 to 2012 she worked as post-doctoral researcher in CESAM, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR, University of Porto) and the National Oceanography Centre (UK), and since then as Auxiliary Researcher in CESAM. Ana Hilario’s research is focused on three main topics in deep-sea biology: 1) biodiversity and biogeography, 2) life-history traits and 3) population connectivity and its implications for conservation that have been published in 45 peer-reviewed articles (H’=22). In addition, she co-edited a special volume and co-authored 6 book chapters, 7 refereed papers on conference proceedings and 57 oral communications at international meetings, including 6 invited talks. Throughout her career, she participated in 13 international research projects, 9 as principal (6) or co-principal (3) researcher in the University of Aveiro and 1 as the lead of the deep-sea component. She has also participated in 8 nationally-funded projects, 2 as principal researcher. Since 2018, the projects led by Ana Hilário have directly contributed to the career development of 4 early-stage researchers, 3 PhD students and 7 master's students. Ana Hilario is member of the academic committee of the University of Aveiro "Doctoral Programme in Marine Science, Technology and Management" since 2019, and coordinator of CESAM's "Ecology and Conservation of Coastal and Deep-Sea Ecosystems" research group since 2021. She also represents the University of Aveiro and CESAM at the European Centre for information on Marine Science and Technology (EurOcean), where she also acts as vice-president of the executive committee (since 2021), and is, since 2022 the vice-president of the executive committee of the Portuguese Committee of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR). Because of the complex interaction between biological, geological, physical and chemical processes in the various layers of the ocean, deep-sea research is intrinsically interdisciplinary. Further, sampling in places that are usually remote and difficult to access is only possible using oceanographic vessels and underwater vehicles, which entails high operating costs, only supported by international and multidisciplinary teams. A vast network of international collaborations has allowed the participation in 28 multidisciplinary research cruises (ca. 650 days at sea) dedicated to the study of various deep-sea ecosystems, including abyssal plains, submarine canyons, seamounts, deep-sea coral reefs, and all the chemosynthetic ecosystems in the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. Currently, Ana Hilário co-leads “Challenger 150 - A Decade to study deep-sea life”, a programme formally endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development that, to date, involves scientists from 140 organisations in 52 nations.