After graduation I joined the scientific team of the GrapeBerryFactory project under the supervision of Ana Cunha. I studied photosynthesis in heterotrophic tissues such as grape berries and learned and adapted techniques to measure photosynthetic activity in fruits, by fluorescence (imaging-PAM) and by enzymatic assays (RuBisCO activity). I also gained experience in in vitro cell culture techniques, colorimetric enzymatic assays, and determination and quantification of compounds by HPLC. Later, I joined Paula Martins-Lopes’ lab under the INNOFOOD project, where I focused on developing innovative methods and molecular markers to study the traceability of olive oil. There, I learned to extract nuclei acids from complex substrates, to conduct qPCR and HRM analyses, and to develop and identify molecular markers such as SSR and SNPs. More recently, I competitively won a PhD grant and completed my thesis with the highest honours. I was responsible for the general scientific design of the project, implementing this line of work in Hernâni Gerós’ lab. Also, I arranged fruitful collaborations with outstanding researchers, including Ana Margarida Fortes from FCUL and Antonio Granell from UPValencia. My work was directed towards studying the role of the newly discovered SWEET transporters during grapevine-pathogen interactions, however I also studied other transporters such as the ERD6l family. I also collaborated with my colleagues, publishing several other publications outside the scope of my thesis. I expanded my knowledge and enhanced my researcher profile by gaining valuable experience during this period. I also learned new techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry, including gene cloning, heterologous expression and also acquired expertise in characterizing gene function, specifically as sugar transporters, using radiolabelled substrates. During my abroad experience, I spent six months in Antonio Granell's lab where I gained experience in advanced biotechnology methods, including GoldenBraid, CRISPR-Cas9, and genetic plant transformation. I successfully implemented these relevant molecular techniques in my lab, which are now used regularly. At the culmination of my PhD, I not only gained expertise in various technical methods, but I also developed the ability to conceive, design, and execute a scientific project from start to finish. Consequently, I contributed in the design of an FCT-funded project “GrapInfectomics” where Ana Margarida Fortes was the PI and during one year, I held the position of junior researcher. I continued the work in SWEETs and published a highly cited review. Currently, I am a junior researcher on the “GrapeMicrobiota” project, collaborating with Sogevinus, a recognized winemaking company, to study the interactions between the microbiota of three different grapevine cultivars of the Douro DOC region and exploit the microterrior to enhance the typicity of wine. In this project, I am learning new microbiology methods, determining specific phenotypes and growth/fermentative yields of each discovered strain, and using biotechnology and metagenomic techniques and the results are promising. Throughout my short career, I have published 9 papers in 1st quartile journals (6 as first author) with a high citing record (h-index of 9). I also published one book chapter, one paper in congress proceedings, and participated several national and international congress presentations and outreach activities. I contributed to various scientific projects as a team member and supervised bachelor, master and PhD students (national and international). Alongside this, I have gained valuable teaching experience at the University of Minho, where I was invited to teach as an Invited Professor. Furthermore, my expertise in the field has also led to several invitations to review scientific articles, and to propose and serve as guest editor in special topics in renown scientific journals.