Ana Emanuela Cisne de Lima is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS) – CESPU, under the supervision of Prof. Sara Ricardo. Her doctoral research focuses on understanding the role of the tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer, particularly the effect of malignant ascites on disease progression and therapeutic resistance. She works with patient-derived organoids as advanced three-dimensional models to explore tumor plasticity and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Ana holds a Master’s degree in Oral Rehabilitation (2021) from the University of São Paulo (USP), where she investigated the physicomechanical properties of dental biomaterials and the interaction between surface characteristics and biological response in prosthetic devices. She earned her undergraduate degree in Dentistry from the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) in 2018, where she began her scientific path through research on CAD/CAM ceramic systems and tissue biomechanics, contributing to interdisciplinary approaches in bioengineering and materials science. During her academic journey, Ana received several research and teaching scholarships funded by CAPES and UFC. She actively participated in scientific research and academic training programs and was recognized for her dedication to scientific outreach and collaborative research. As part of her doctoral training, she joined the 1H-TOXRUN – Toxicology Research Unit, where she strengthened her technical expertise in histological analysis (H&E staining), immunohistochemistry, tissue microarray construction, microtomy, and cell culture. She has successfully applied in vitro models using cell lines and patient-derived organoids for drug testing and viability assays, and contributed to protocol optimization and lab training for new researchers. Ana has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed articles and presented her work at leading national and international conferences, including the IADR/AADR/CADR General Session and the Brazilian Society for Dental Research (SBPqO). She has served as an Ad-Hoc reviewer for the Scientific Journal of the Public Health School of Ceará (ESP) and contributed to the publication of book chapters, broadening her impact in scientific communication. In academia, Ana served as an assistant professor and lecturer in Brazil, teaching courses in Histology, Anatomy, Clinical Diagnosis, and Prosthodontics. She worked at both technical and higher education levels, where she combined theoretical instruction with hands-on clinical mentoring, developing strong pedagogical and leadership skills. In addition to her academic and scientific contributions, Ana was involved in international and civic activities. She completed professional development courses in the UK (The Language Gallery, London) and volunteered with the United Nations’ Global Combat Covid-19 Support Centre, participating in global public health support initiatives during the pandemic. Ana Emanuela’s academic and professional journey reflects a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, biomedical innovation, and translational oncology. Her work integrates cancer biology, toxicology, and pharmacology, with the aim of contributing to more effective and personalized therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer. Her diverse experience, scientific rigor, and motivation to impact clinical practice align strongly with the objectives of the FCT PhD fellowship programme.