L. Zé-Zé completed her bachelor’s degree in biology, with a specialization in Zoology, from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (FCUL) in 1994. Subsequently, she pursued a PhD in Biology with a focus on Molecular Biology, completing it in 2000 (supported by the PRAXIS XXI/BD/4541/94 fellowship from FCT). Following her PhD, L. Zé-Zé embarked on a research and teaching career. From 2000 to 2006, she held a post-doctoral scholarship at the FCUL, supported by a grant from FCT (SFRH/BPD/3653/2000), while also engaging in teaching activities in higher education institutions. During this period, she served as a lecturer in various subjects related to Biology, Microbiology, and Genetics at institutions such as Lusófona University, Institute of Education and Sciences in Lisbon, the Higher School of Biotechnology, Católica University (AESBUC, Oporto), and FCUL. In 2006, L. Zé-Zé transitioned to a position as an Auxiliar Researcher at INSA, specifically at the Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research (CEVDI). Her work at CEVDI focused on the direct and indirect diagnosis of arbo- and rodent-borne viruses, as well as participation in national and international research projects, namely the in the REVIVE (Vector Surveillance Network in Portugal) that aims to monitor the presence/absence of vector species, in particular the possible introduction of invasive/exotic species into our country, and also to assess the risk of pathogen transmission. In REVIVE, L. Zé-Zé is responsible for the screening of flaviviruses and alphaviruses in pools of mosquito vector species and, since 2019, for screening CCHF virus in Hyalomma ticks. She also contributes to teaching activities, including training courses at INSA and occasional participation in master's programs and postgraduate classes. L. Zé-Zé career at INSA, followed a commitment to professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration. She was a member of the Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI) from 2010 to 2023, and recently became a member of the Centre for Animal Science Studies (CECA) and AL4animalS Associate Laboratory research teams. Additionally, she engaged in activities such as public health emergency response, as an active member of the INSA Emergency Response Team for COVID-19 diagnostics during the pandemic (2020-2022). L. Zé-Zé's career path was marked by two periods of parental leaves following the birth of her two sons, André in January 2009 and Diogo in September 2013. These interruptions, along with the transition to a new research area in 2006 and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, required adaptation and flexibility, and implied some delays in research outputs.