Bárbara Albuquerque (BA) is a PhD student in the Doctoral Program of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), in collaboration with the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS) and the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto. She began her doctoral studies in 2024, building on a strong academic background, including a master’s degree in Biochemistry (2018-2023), completed with distinction, at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP) and ICBAS. Her research journey started in 2021 with a curricular internship at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, collaborating with the Glial Cell Biology Group and the LAQV/REQUIMTE group. This experience strengthened her interest in biomedical research and enhanced her skills in laboratory techniques, including in vitro studies and fluorescence microscopy, as well as teamwork. Later, BA conducted her master’s thesis at FMUP (Department of Biomedicine – Unit of Pharmacology and Therapeutics), in collaboration with the Research Center in Chemistry - Institute of Molecular Sciences at FCUP. Supervised by Professor Patrício Soares-da-Silva and Professor Fernanda Borges, she evaluated the pharmacological properties of novel Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors. She conducted drug screening assays, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evaluations, and both in vitro and in vivo studies to assess the efficacy, safety, and bioavailability of the novel compounds. In recognition of her work, BA received a research fellowship in 2023-2024 from the Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines. During this period, she not only further developed her technical expertise but also enhanced several soft skills, such as technical writing, oral communication, project planning, data analysis, and collaboration with national research groups. Her contributions to the field have been substantial. BA has co-authored two original publications in prestigious Q1 scientific journals, demonstrating her commitment to high-quality research. Additionally, she is a co-inventor of a patent and has actively participated in various national congresses, presenting her findings and networking with experts in pharmacology and biomedical sciences. Her scientific work has been recognized with an award from U.Porto Innovation, underscoring her potential as a researcher. BA has also contributed to the academic community through her participation in the organization of the 55th Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Pharmacology, which aimed at fostering collaboration between students, researchers, and doctors in the field of pharmacology and toxicology, enriching her scientific perspective and broadening her professional network. BA has expanded her knowledge through complementary training, completing courses such as FELASA B and online courses in neuroscience, cellular biology, and immunology from international universities. Additionally, she volunteered as a mentor at the University of Porto, contributing to the academic and personal development of a student. Currently, she works as a researcher at RISE-Health (TL5 - Clinical Translation on Drug Targets and Innovative Biomedicines, Cell Signaling, Biomarkers, and New Drug Targets Group), where she is focused on drug screening for neuropsychiatric disorders. Bárbara's dedication, critical thinking, and collaborative spirit underscore her commitment to advancing biomedical research, making her a valuable contributor to the scientific community.