I am a researcher at the Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) at the University of Minho, Portugal, where I lead interdisciplinary research at the interface of molecular biology, environmental science, and biotechnology. My work aligns with CBMA’s strategic program and Horizon 2020 goals, emphasizing problem-oriented research that drives innovation, impacts health, and promotes environmental sustainability. A central focus of my research has been leveraging yeast as a powerful model organism for risk assessment and environmental monitoring, particularly to study the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of emerging contaminants. Given the increasing threat posed by chemical pollutants due to human activity, my work aims to advance our understanding of their impact and develop cost-effective tools for environmental risk assessment. I have developed novel biosensing tools to detect agrochemicals, performed chemogenomic studies to elucidate modes of action and, in recent years, expanded my research to investigate environmental contributors to neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), particularly the role of pesticides in Parkinson’s disease. This work integrates yeast and human cell-based models to identify neurotoxic compounds, bridging molecular biology with environmental health research. Beyond research, I am committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists, having supervised over 40 students across undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels. I have also been deeply involved in scientific dissemination, publishing over 40 papers, reviewing for international journals, and organizing conferences. My outreach efforts include fostering collaborations across academia, engaging with stakeholders, and promoting scientific literacy through public engagement initiatives. Moving forward, my goal is to consolidate CBMA’s expertise in high-throughput environmental toxicology, expand our understanding of how chemical exposures contribute to disease risk, and develop innovative methodologies to support sustainable environmental policies.