I focus my research on several interconnected key areas: fish larval ecology, behavioural ecology, and the effect of anthropogenic changes, such as ocean acidification and warming, on fish behaviour and physiology. These areas are linked by a common goal: understand how behaviour, and different life history strategies and features might influence the survival of larval stages. This knowledge is critical for a better understanding of population connectivity and recruitment in a changing environment, with implications for both conservation and fisheries management purpose. I have acquired large experience in field sampling techniques, rearing of fish in laboratorial facilities, experimental designs, and interpretation of behavioural patterns. I am recognized as a behavioural expert among peers, and this acknowledgment provides me the opportunity to grow as an independent researcher. My contribution to these fields gave rise to 41 papers published in peer-reviewed journals; additionally, I have authored 1 book chapter, co-authored 1 book chapter, and authored and co-authored over 50 oral and poster communications in national and international meetings. Since I obtained my PhD I have been able to secure competitive national funding. I was the Principal Investigator (PI) of ACIDLARVAE (2013-2015), a project aiming at investigating the effects of high CO2 levels on behaviour and development of temperate fish larvae. I coordinated all the research team, both field and laboratory work, and was involved in the preparation of manuscripts and progress reporting. I was the PI of NextGen (2018-2022), a project that investigated the potential of fish to acclimate, through developmental and/or transgenerational plasticity, to future ocean warming (OW), acidification (OA) and interacting effects (OWA). I was also the PI of FishNet, a bilateral initiative financed by the EEA grants, which bring together researchers from Portugal and Norway. As PI of these projects, I have been able to successfully gather a team of national and international experts in the field of larval ecology, behaviour and climate changes. Due to my expertise in fish larval ecology and behavior, I have been invited to join, as a team member, other projects, such as MATRIX (2009-2013), REEFFISH (2013-2015), FISHNOISE (2018-2021), SARDITEMP (2018-2022), MICROTOXFISH (2023-2026), where I am responsible for designing and running experiments on fish behavior, as well as data analysis, preparation of manuscripts and progress reporting. I am currently the supervisor of 3 PhD students, and have supervised over 18 master students, in addition to multiple internship students. I supervised 3 postdoc researchers. I was selected in 2015 as one of the most promising early career scientists for the development of research in health and environmental sciences, among over 80 applicants, and was one of the three winners of the LOréal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science (12th edition). Since 2016 I am also part of the editorial board of Acta Ethologica, a journal that publishes in the field of animal behavior, and since 2023 I am an associate editor for Frontiers in Marine Science. I was the guest-editor for the Special issue Fish Larval Biology and Ecology, edited by Oceans (MDPI).