I have a BSc in Biology from the University of Porto - Faculty of Science and Technology and a MSc in Molecular and Microbial Biology from the University of Algarve - Faculty of Science and Technology. During my bachelor’s I learned about microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, cell engineering, ecology and plant biology. During the final year of my degree, I carried out my final project in hydrocarbon bioremediation, using microorganisms isolated from water obtained from the Port of Leixões and analysing their bioremediation potential to degrade hydrocarbons in microcosms. Based on my knowledge and passion, I decided to pursue the masters where I did two internships where I learnt more about bioremediation and the application of spectroscopy techniques in this area, particularly using FTIR, and the characterization of bacterial marine isolates. During the first year, I was also co-author of a poster at the annual meeting of the Portuguese Genetics Society in 2021. During my dissertation I focused on developing techniques for the isolation, characterization, and detection of marine bacteria, including human pathogens. As part of my thesis, I presented a short video at the first edition of the International Congress of Microbiology in Portuguese, in 2022, and was awarded a Merit Scholarship for the academic year 2021/2022 offered by the University of the Algarve and DGES. In 2023, I started my career as a research fellow on the project HealthyBi4Namibe- Development of technological tools to improve and reduce health risks for bivalve consumption in Angola, where I carried out collection campaigns, designed experimental tests, isolated potential pathogenic bacteria, analysed the presence of microplastics, heavy metals, biotoxins and other contaminants in mussels from Angola, describing the potential risk of their consumption for human health. I developed skills in the preparation of samples for HPLC analysis and worked in the detection and identification of microplastics in water and mussel samples using FTIR. I co-authored a chapter in a book and presented an oral communication and a scientific poster at the MICROBIOTEC Conference in 2023.