Maria L. Inácio holds a degree in Agronomic Engineering, a Master’s in Plant Production, and a PhD in Forest Engineering with a specialization in Phytopathology from the University of Lisbon. Her passion for plant protection began in 1991 during an Erasmus Fellowship at the Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy, where she sought to expand her knowledge of emerging plant diseases. Since 1997, she has been dedicated to plant protection research, focusing on interactions between fungi, nematodes, and other biotic agents. In 2016, after a competitive public tender, she joined the permanent staff of INIAV and is now a Principal Investigator in the Plant Health Department. ML Inácio has authored approximately 60 indexed journal articles, contributed to 12 books and book chapters, and delivered over 150 presentations at conferences. She has actively participated in national and international projects, serving as general coordinator or work package leader for 12 initiatives. Since 2009, she has been an invited lecturer in higher education, mentoring postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates, master’s, and undergraduate students, fostering their academic growth. In mid-2013, she was appointed Head of the Nematology Lab at INIAV, where she oversees project planning, official control plans, and research on plant-parasitic nematodes. Her efforts have focused on building and training her team while sharing expertise gained during her experiences in Wageningen (Netherlands) and Ghent (Belgium) to inspire the next generation of nematologists. ML Inácio is a board member of the Agricultural Sciences Society of Portugal (SCAP) and the Portuguese Society of Phytopathology (SPF). She has been the national representative to the European Society of Nematologists since 2022 and represents Portugal in key European organizations in her field, such as EPPO and teh EURL for Plant parasitic Nematodes. She is also a member of the Ordem dos Engenheiros (professional no. 28778). Despite a carcinoma diagnosis in 2004 and subsequent medical challenges over the following decade, ML Inácio has made significant contributions to plant health and nematology research. She remains an editorial board member and reviewer for national and international journals, continuing her impactful work in science and education.