I currently serve as the head of the Innovation Management Office (IMO) at INESC-ID, which is dedicated to supporting researchers in their journey through innovation and science management. IMO aims to empower INESC-ID researchers by providing them with the necessary tools and guidance to navigate the complexities of innovation. This mission is supported by assisting researchers in preparing proposals for competitive research projects at the European level, actively identifying opportunities and establishing partnerships with industry and academia, and supporting the Board of Directors in Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) matters. With over 14 years of experience in fostering international collaborations between universities, particularly within the North American market, I have served as the Executive Director of the CMU Portugal Program since 2018. Prior to this, I held the position of Executive Director of the MIT Portugal Program from 2015 to 2018. In these roles, I have been promoting networks for Research & Higher Education in Portugal and the US, ensuring the strategic objectives of international partnership programs are met through close collaboration with stakeholders across industry, government, and academia. My academic background includes a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Porto (2001), followed by enrollment in the Graduate Program in Areas of Basic and Applied Biology (GABBA) the same year, where I pursued a Ph.D. in Developmental Neurosciences at University College London. During my time in London, I developed a keen interest in science communication and co-founded the Portuguese Science Communication Association "Rede ScicomPT," where I served as vice president.