In 1991, I finished my degree in biology from the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon, after concluding an internship at DOP/University of the Azores. In 1993, I started a permanent research position at DOP, concentrating on fisheries data collection and analyzing the multispecific nature of Azores demersal fisheries, which led to a Master's equivalent thesis in 1996. Following the arrival of the RV Arquipélago, between 1993 and 2016, I co-led and led numerous research projects and research or monitoring cruise surveys using bottom longlines, targeting demersal and deep-water fish across the Azores, Madeira, Cabo Verde, and many other seamounts, including the Great Meteor seamounts complex. In 2003, I completed my PhD with a pioneering multivariate approach to characterizing demersal and deep-water fish assemblages up to 1200m deep in these regions. In 2004, I participated in the CoML MARECO cruise aboard the Norwegian RV G.O. Sars, and more recently, I made two dives in the LULA1000 submersible, reaching depths of up to 900 meters in the Azores. Throughout my career, I have authored or co-authored numerous publications (over 80 peer review papers) in fish biology and ecology-related fields, participated in various projects, organized several scientific meetings, attended various data analysis training courses, contributed to teaching graduate and master’s courses, and supervised several doctoral and master's students. I participated in various scientific and advisory groups (ICES - WGDEEP, WGDEC), the Regional Fisheries Council, and the Regional Innovation Council. In 2006, I conceptualized a technology-based innovation for measuring fish sizes at auctions (Fishmetrics), which has since been implemented in several locations and patented in 2020. This system led to winning 1st place in the 2008 National Innovation Contest BES in the Commerce and Services category. I also founded the startup Fishmetrics Lda. in 2008. From 2016 to 2020, I left academia to serve as the Secretary for the Sea, Science, and Technology in the XII Azores Government. Among others, I had the chance to make strategic decisions regarding investments such as the Technopole MARTEC and the acquisition of a new research vessel. Since April 2021, I have been serving as the elected director of the OKEANOS Institute, continuing my commitment to marine science and research.