Margarida Lorigo, 31 yrs-old, completed her FCT-funded PhD in Biomedicine (2025) at the University of Beira Interior (UBI; Faculty of Health Sciences & CICS-UBI) in collaboration with the University of Aveiro (UA; Department of Biology & CESAM). She holds a BSc in Biomedical Sciences (2015) and an MSc in Biochemistry (2017), both from UBI. Over the past 9-yrs, she has developed a solid research profile in (cardio)vascular endocrinology at CICS-UBI, which, since Jan '25, is part of RISE-Health, the largest R&D unit in PT. Her work focuses on the disruptive effects of emerging contaminants on maternofoetal health, particularly by assessing the thyroid-modulating activity of an UV filter using the human umbilical artery (HUA) as a model. During her PhD, she developed multidisciplinary skills through in silico, ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo approaches within the scope of PT-funded projects (FCT, C4/CICS-UBI, Santander/UBI). Her methodological knowledge spans molecular docking, HUA, rat aorta, and zebrafish embryos aligning with New Approach Methods (NAMs). Her initial hands-on experience in both bioinformatics and ecotoxicology complements and strengthens her ability to evaluate the effects of emerging contaminants on human health. She has an outstanding scientific output, 32 papers in peer-reviewed ISI journals (26 in the past 5-yrs; h-index: 15; >615 cit., Scopus), 2 book chapters, 2 exhibition catalogs, 4 encyclopaedia entries, and 26 scientific communications (oral/posters) at (inter)national meetings. Her high-quality work has been recognised through several awards (e.g., Pharmaceuticals Best PhD Thesis Award, co-authorship of Best Joint Paper and Best Flash Communication, 2 Best Poster Presentations & Honourable Mention). Moreover, she has been involved as a member of the MSc academic jury (3-main arguer/2-chair) and other juries (4-reviewer/1-supervisor, in BSc proj defences). She co-supervised 4 MSc dissertations and tutored 14 BSc proj & 2 Ciência Viva Internships in endocrinology/toxicology, demonstrating her work and versatility skills. Currently, she supervises 2 MSc students, and 1 BSc student under the UBI-funded project "STEAM Youth Boost Programme–UBI+Skills”. From Sep ‘19 to Mar '25, she collaborated as a monitor at the Medical Sciences Department (FCS-UBI), where, since April '25, she has been serving as an Invited Assistant Professor (50% ded.), lecturing Human Anatomy/Physiology, Cardiocirculatory & Endocrine Systems to BSc, MSc & Integrated MSc degrees at UBI (accumulated 867h DSD and trained 2,658 students). Alongside her research and lecturing duties, she actively pursues continuing education, having completed pedagogical workshops (e.g., GEMA-CS, GIP-UBI, and Elsevier), and advanced trainings in areas aligned with her research interests (e.g., PARC Training on in silico models, U.S. EPA NAMs Virtual Training Programs, ISE Global Education Hub thyroid course, or lab animals model courses). She also engages actively in science outreach and communication events (>35 in the past 5-yrs), reinforcing her commitment to (inter)personal development. Young, proactive, and committed to scientific excellence and international cooperation, she serves(ed) a member of renowned (inter)national associations (PSB, ESE, SETAC Europe, & AIEC), contributed to the journal issues editorial process (2-Guest Editor & 1-Topic coordinator), and acts as an ad hoc reviewer for 18 ISI journals. Beyond academia and scientific pursuits, she has developed communication and teamwork skills through artistic performance (e.g., theatre), engagement in social awareness initiatives (e.g., Food Bank Against Hunger, Make-Believe Hospital in FCS-UBI, or Red Nose Operation workshops), and by promoting science outreach activities (e.g., Ciência Viva & ERN). With a multidisciplinary background and a strong early-career record, she contributed to advancing knowledge on emerging contaminants through NAMs within the One Health framework. Updated: Oct'25