Francisco M. Ribeiro has successfully earned his Master's degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a specialization in Neurobiology from the esteemed University of Coimbra. As a dynamic young neuroscientist, he harbors a profound fascination for unraveling the intricacies of brain plasticity and exploring their manifestations in autism spectrum disorders. Throughout both his Bachelor's and Master's studies, Francisco seized valuable opportunities to intern at prominent institutions such as iCBR, where he contributed to the neuropsychiatry and neuropharmacology group, and CIBIT, where he immersed himself in pre-clinical research focused on neurodevelopment animal models. Presently, Francisco is a first-year Ph.D. student enrolled in the Health Sciences doctoral program at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra. This comprehensive program integrates various facets of biomedicine from fundamental science to clinical studies. During the initial year, Francisco is committed to participating in a series of advanced courses encompassing: Research Methods and Techniques, Animal Experimentation, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Biostatistics, Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical Imaging Biomarkers in Translational Research, Tissue Barriers in Health and Disease, Vision Sciences, and Thesis Project in Biomedical Sciences. His Ph.D. thesis project is centered on unveiling synaptic plasticity mechanisms in a neurofibromatosis type 1 model. This multifaceted endeavor involves diverse tasks, including inducing visual and social plasticity, employing a range of techniques such as molecular approaches, in vivo electrophysiology, functional magnetic resonance, and behavioral tests. Francisco also aims to explore potential therapeutic interventions targeting identified synaptic plasticity mechanisms. Beyond his academic pursuits, Francisco has cultivated additional interests, with a particular passion for video production. He honed his skills by attending a documentary filmmaking course, where he successfully developed a short film addressing the subject of autism.