Hélder Spínola has a degree in Biology (1996), a PhD in Molecular Biology (2006) and is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Madeira (since 2007), where he teaches, or has taught, subjects in the areas of Environment and Biology, such as 'Environmental Education', 'Environmental Sustainability', 'Management and Reuse of Agricultural Waste', 'Environment and Rural Development', 'Study of the Social Environment', 'Human Biology', 'Biochemistry' and 'Genetics', among many others. He was Director of the Technological Specialization Course in Environmental Management (2010-2014) and is currently Director of the Professional Higher Technical Course in Energy and Environmental Management. He is a researcher at the Center for Research in Education and the Laboratory of Human Genetics, both at the University of Madeira. As a result of his research work he has published more than thirty scientific articles in international journals and seven book chapters, highlighting his work in the area of Environmental Literacy and Human Genetics. He reviewed 57 scientific articles in 22 international journals. He was co-author of eight books promoting the natural heritage of the Madeira Archipelago and the book "Ambiente para Jovens - Aprender e Aplicar" (Environment for Young People - Learn and Apply), having published, in 2011, the novel "Linha Azul - A Luta Ambiental da Quercus" (Blue Line - Quercus' Environmental Struggle), in 2013, the fable "A Couve de Albertina" (Albertina's cabbage), and in 2019 the scientific dissemination book "Madeira Natural Heritage". In 2003 he was elected president of the National Directorate of Quercus- National Association for Nature Conservation, a position he held for six years.