I hold a BSc in Biology (2017) and an MSc in Molecular and Microbial Biology (2019) from the University of the Algarve, where I built a solid foundation in microbiology. My research began with studies of Bacteroides species, initially focusing on their antibiotic susceptibility, and later exploring host-microbe interactions in the context of type 1 diabetes, which I studied during my Master's thesis. Until 2024, I worked as a researcher in the AGRO+Eficiente project at the University of the Algarve, where I contributed to studies on soil microbiomes and their response to climate change, with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices. I've also been involved in projects using nanopore sequencing to study microbiome diversity and characterising natural products such as Moroccan propolis. Over the years I've developed strong skills in laboratory techniques, sample collection, data analysis and scientific communication. I've co-authored peer-reviewed publications, presented my work at national and international conferences, and participated in outreach and education initiatives such as MicroMundo. I also contributed to diagnostic testing efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am a member of the Portuguese Order of Biologists and actively engage in continuous learning through workshops, webinars and collaborative projects. My main interests are in understanding microbiomes, host-microbe interactions, and how these relationships can be harnessed to improve health and sustainability. I'm particularly passionate about applying this knowledge to support women's health and healthy ageing.