In 2008 I completed my PhD in Materials Science and Technology-Biomaterials from the Univ. of Minho, under the supervision of Prof. T. Kokubo (Univ. of Kyoto, Japan) and Prof. R. Reis (Univ. of Minho), developing new approaches for designing bioactive materials for bone repair. During my Master in Polymer Engineering, I developed my passions for microscopy analysis. I had the opportunity to work with Prof. Atsuo Ito in Japan by studying the formation of a calcium phosphate layer on osteoconductive materials by using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). During my postdoctoral studies, I investigated the influence of silanol groups on the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. In September 2011, I got Career Starting Grant, under the Portuguese National Program Compromisso com a Ciência. From this period, I and a PhD student, we initiated research in chimeric silk proteins with different functionalities, cell adhesion, apatite nucleation, and antibacterial motifs, towards their application in tissue engineering and infection control of implants. As a result, I built a small research team focused on the synthesis of spider silk protein-based materials by recombinant DNA technology as an alternative to natural bone grafts. As a result, I was PI of the FCT project for developing spider silk sutures with antibacterial properties that allowed me to collaborate with groups internally (G. Castro/F. Rodrigues-ICVS) and externally (D. Kaplan-USA). This experience as PI provided me with a unique opportunity to implement a new research line focused on the development of antibacterial surfaces. In parallel to these research activities, I was also involved in the organization of scientific events and preparation of National Projects corresponding to a total budget of 0.98M€ and 3.18 M€ for EU-funded projects. I also take part of selecting and setting up the specifications of the instruments to be acquired; the preparation of the international public tender; assessing applications and making the final decision; installation and training in the instruments. Under this role, I gained experience with image processing/analysis processing and standard software for high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscope with a focused ion beam (FIB-SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) and AFM. In 2018, I got an FCT project grant (ChimericFibre4Tendon), allowing to continue and extend the research on the production of recombinant proteins for fabricating drug-free sutures for tendon and ligament repair. Besides that, allow me to supervise a post-doc, gain project management skill, continue with internal and international collaborations. This research work supported the creation of a microbiology laboratory, biosafety level 2. It further contributed to the establishment and consolidation of a new research sub-area in 3Bs Group that is highly relevant and complementary to my current activities. In 2016, my focus was in microscopy and technology development include correlative imaging techniques, focused ion beam scanning electron microscope, X-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. In parallel to that, I was working in studying the effect of nanotopographical features on bacteria adhesion to design antibacterial surfaces. I was nominated to be in charge of managing the Core Microscopy Facility together with one technical staff (MSc holder) at 3Bs Group. The aim of this facility is designed to support the research developed by researchers in the Group and provide a service to other research centres at the Univ. of Minho, as well as local and international academic institutions and industries. So far, I am authoring of several publications, including papers in international peer-review journals, book chapters and communications in international conferences and as External Evaluator of Project proposals for EU (FP7, H2020, EU-Enterprise Ireland).