Since January 2020, I have been a Molecular Biosciences Ph.D. student at ITQB NOVA, Portugal. I hold a BSc in Biology from the FCUP (2009) and an MSc. degree in Marine Sciences and Resources from ICBAS.UP (2011), University of Porto. I have a deep interest in exploring microbial diversity and associated biotechnological potential. Emphasis on the study of fungal specialisation under environmental stress, which is the focus of my PhD research supervised by Professor Cristina Silva Pereira (ITQB NOVA) and Professor Carlos A. M. Afonso (FFUL). During my MSc thesis research, and up to 2016 as a research fellow, my work explored the biological and chemical diversity of marine fungi and cyanobacteria. Later, I broadened my skills by contributing to a residue valuation project and optimising catalytic processes for purifying plant polymers from industrial residues, which provided me with valuable insights into circular economy principles. In summary, I possess extensive technical skills in microbiology and molecular biology, enabling me to handle microorganisms such as bacteria, cyanobacteria, and filamentous fungi, from isolation to small-to-large-scale cultivation, phenotypic characterisation, and the application of diverse molecular genetic techniques for microbial communities and/or isolates characterisation. I have practical experience in functional analyses from biodegradation assays to bioactivity testing, targeting antimicrobial and anticancer properties of microbial-derived compounds. In addition, I have been developing solid skills in chemical extraction methods and analytical and structural elucidation techniques like TLC, HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR. All these experiences have honed my ability to design, execute, and improve complex protocols. I am particularly enthusiastic about specialising in fungal ecology and environmental sciences, aiming to leverage scientific knowledge for the benefit of both humans and the environment. My publication record includes seven peer-reviewed papers in top journals in the research fields, with four as the first authors.