I received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon in 1986 and a Ph.D. in Biology (Plant Ecology) from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London in 2000. I am an Associate Professor of the School of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences at the University of the Azores, Angra do Heroísmo, teaching Plant Biology and other subjects. Currently, I am the Coordinator of the Azorean Biodiversity Group, part of the RD Unit – Centre of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (GBA-cE3c), one of the researchers of the Island Biodiversity, Biogeography and Conservation Research subgroup (IBBC). My investigation focuses on the study of ecology, biogeography, and physiology of bryophytes and environmental education and communication. I have published more than 85 Scopus papers [H-index of 25], co-edited seven books and co-authored another 10, having written more than 50 book chapters and more than 100 outreach publications, including the co-edition of the podcast “Pergunta ao Cientista” (https://soundcloud.com/field-guide-362856827) aimed at Azorean youths, and the co-development of the Azorean Biodiversity Portal (http://azoresbioportal.uac.pt/), a web interface providing accurate biodiversity and biogeographical information for species referred to the Azores. Two of the 17 goals proposed by the ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are particularly important in my research. Goal 15, LIFE ON LAND – HALTING BIODIVERSITY LOSS. I am involved in (i) the study of the distribution of bryophytes and other cryptogamic organisms, collecting, in a standardized way, primary data regarding the presence of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts in the nine islands of the Azores archipelago; (ii) the improvement of reference biodiversity databases concerning cryptogamic species; (iii) the analysis of macroecological patterns of bryophytes’ distribution and abundance across different gradients (e.g. elevation, urbanization); (iv) the assessment of bryophyte’s growth related to environmental variables (e.g. water, light, pH), and (v) the evaluation of the status of rarity and vulnerability of bryophytes in the Azores according to IUCN guidelines. Other studies include the exploration of extreme environments such as caves and fumaroles. Goal 3, GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. My research on environmental education is linked to (i) the assessment of the multiple perspectives, attitudes, and representations of biodiversity, nature, and the environment, from different population groups (e.g. rural/urban; children/grown-ups/aged); (ii) the study of Human-Nature Interaction (HNI), and their impacts on nature and people, exploring biophilic and biophobic reactions; and (iii) the conceptualization, exploration and evaluation of different ways to increase awareness, connection and exposure to nature to promote mental health and wellbeing. I participate(ed) as principal investigator (or co-PI) in 32 projects, and I have served as PI in the Azores in a further 12 projects. Some of the most recent projects are two Biodiversa+ projects, DarCo (2023-2026) and BioMonI (2024-2027), and three FCT-funded projects, Field Guide (2018-2022), SSi-Sense and Sensibility in Interactivity (2022-2024) and MACRISK (2022-2024), covering both biodiversity and environmental education. I maintain long-lasting collaborations with other bryologists working on Macaronesia, such as Cecília Sérgio and Manuela Sim-Sim working in Madeira Archipelago (cE3c), Juana González-Mancebo (University of La Laguna) and Alan Vanderpoorten (University of Liége) working in the Canary Islands, and Claudine Ah-Peng working in the Mascarenes (University of La Réunion). I have interacted with more than 100 research colleagues. I have been awarded two Honorable Mentions of BES BIODIVERSIDADE (2008; 2010), the Diploma of ‘Empreendedorismo Social’ by ‘Acredita Portugal’ (2014), and a proposal for Participative Budget (2018)