I completed my bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2020 at the University of Aveiro (UA), with a final grade of 15/20. During the last semester of the BSc, I was able to write and later publish, as first co-author, a review article entitled "Glymphatic system, AQP4, and their implications in Alzheimer's disease", published in Neurological Research and Practice (IF 3, doi: 10.1186/s42466-021-00102-7). My interest in research led me to enroll in the Molecular Biomedicine Master’s degree (final grade 17/20), also at the UA. I was able to develop my thesis entitled "Metabolic barriers in the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into induced cardiac-like myocytes" at iBiMED under the supervision of Dr. Sandrina Nóbrega Pereira, which was graded 18/20. I conducted work in the impact of metabolic barriers in the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into induced cardiac-like myocytes through the use of retrovirus encoding three cardiac genes in vitro, within the scientific scope of the ongoing FCT project EXPL/BIA-CEL/0358/2021 (PI, Sandrina Nóbrega Pereira) in which I am currently participant. During my Master, I actively aided in the culture of several mouse cell lines and fibroblasts primary cultures, including manipulation of viral infections in biosafety level 2 (BSL- 2) cell culture, combined with several cell biology and biochemical assays (viability, RNA isolation and qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy). Of note, I developed deep knowledge in the acquisition and quantification of mitochondria network parameters using confocal microscopy and FIJI-adapted macros for quantification, having attended the online workshop "Introduction to digital bioimage" by i3S. I was able to independently design several experimental protocols, adapt published information and assist in the laboratorial guidance of undergraduate students. I believe these scientific qualifications are a major advantage for enrolling into a PhD. Furthermore, I developed good scientific communications and writing skills in English. My work’s findings have been disseminated in several national meetings, including 1 oral communication at the European network ERA-CVD INNOVATION internal scientific meeting (Hotel Melia, Aveiro, 6th October 2022) and 3 posters, with 1 distinguished as the best poster presentation in “Dia dos Mestrados” (Department of Medical Sciences, UA, 8th June; 500€ for publication fee). Moreover, I am co-first-author of one review manuscript in the impact of Metabolic Determinants in Cardiomyocyte Function and Heart Regenerative Strategies, published in Metabolites (IF 5.581, doi: 10.3390/metabo12060500). During my academic journey, I have been actively engaged in science outreach activities at iBiMED, by participating in high school visits to the institute, and attended several scientific meetings (X Journey Days of Biomedical Sciences, Innovation in Cardiac Regeneration Symposium, and "Meet the professor" webinars), which allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge, while getting inspired by other scientists and their work. Moreover, I did some volunteering work at the Centro Académico Fé e Cultura (CAFC/CUFC, Aveiro), being responsible for the planning and execution of the event "Benção de Finalistas 2021” for finalist students from several bachelors and masters in the UA. The next step in my journey is through a PhD, allowing me to further explore the research world.