I am a Junior Researcher with a robust background in natural products chemistry, drug discovery, and translational research. My scientific journey began during my undergraduate studies, where I focused on the synthesis of naturally occurring xanthones. This foundation was enriched through an international exchange at Università ‘G. D’Annunzio’ di Chieti, Italy (2012), where I contributed to the development of dual agonists targeting metabolic syndrome. Upon completing my MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Porto (2012), I served as a research fellow in a national project (PTDC/AGR-AAM/102908/2008) investigating sustainable strategies for olive pest control. This work honed my expertise in chemical profiling and biological evaluation of natural matrices. In 2013, I joined the ALGADOURADA marine drug discovery project (31-03-05-FEP-041) as a research fellow, which led to my PhD studies focusing on bioactive molecules from marine invertebrates. My PhD work involved national and international collaborations, resulting in the discovery of novel bioactive natural products and the development of skills in cellular and molecular biology, particularly using in vitro models of inflammation. I successfully defended my PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy specialty) in December 2019. Over the past five years, I have broadened my research expertise through participation in diverse projects centered on the valorization of natural products within a One Health framework. Following a brief tenure as a researcher in the IBERPHENOL project, I joined the BioTarget research group at LAQV/REQUIMTE as a postdoctoral researcher, where I also acted as co-PI of the European project MILKQUA. My role encompassed both research and project management activities. Concurrently, I contributed to various collaborative projects (BioP & FoodP, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030154; BioAdhePepGel, PTDC/QUI-QOR/29015/2017), resulting in publications at the intersection of chemical synthesis, bioinformatics, and biological evaluation. Notably, my involvement in the BioP & FoodP project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030154) led to the development of semi-synthetic derivatives of plant-derived molecules for use as insecticides, culminating in the international patent PCT/IB2021/053422, which addresses low-toxicity insecticidal compounds. In 2021, I was recruited as a researcher for the PTDC/QUI-QFI/2870/2020 project, focusing on the anticancer properties of marine-derived chemiluminescent compounds. The following year, I joined i3S-Institute for Research & Innovation in Health to evaluate the immunostimulatory potential of sulfated polysaccharides from marine origin under the “MARemPÓ” project. Currently, my research investigates the potential of Trichoderma spp. extracts and derived peptaibols, unique peptide metabolites, for controlling Esca disease in kiwi orchards as part of the KIWIBOL project (PTDC/ASP-PLA/2440/2021). To date, I have published 45 peer-reviewed articles (h-index: 20), secured an international patent (PCT/IB2021/053422; granted WO/2022/224026), and presented over 30 conference communications. I am an active member of the European Peptide Society and the Portuguese Chemical Society. Additionally, I have served as guest editor for two special issues in a Q1 journal and as a reviewer for more than 15 international journals, including Chemistry & Biodiversity, Plants, Foods, Pharmacological Reports, PLOS ONE, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Marine Drugs, and Molecules. I have also served as an arguer in four academic degree juries (BSc, MSc, and two PhD evaluations).