Maria João Lança received a PhD in Biology from the University of Lisbon in 2001, holds the title of associate in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from the University of Évora and currently works as Associate Professor with Habilitation in the Department of Animal Science at the School of Science and Technology of the University from Évora. She is an integrated member of MED ¿ Mediterranean Institute of Agriculture, Environment and Development and head of the group on Food Science and Technology (FST/MED). She is also trained as a coordinating researcher for the practice of animal experimentation (category C of FELASA) and is accredited by the General Directorate of Veterinary Medicine. She is also certified in GC/MS and LC/MS chromatography and technology courses. Her main research activity has been in the field of animal anatomy and physiology and develops work in biomarkers such as heart´s fatty acid signature for investigating diadromous fish population structure; fatty acids trophic markers in food web in pelagic marine environment and on early-warning biomarkers to assess the exposure to pollutants in diadromous species. With regard to the research aspect, it participated/participates (with task coordination) in 18 scientific projects, which include 1 LIFE project and 3 European projects. She is the author of several scientific publications in international ISI journals, presented 25 oral communications at international and national conferences and 45 communications in panel form at international and national conferences. She is a regular reviewer for several specialty journals such as the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Springer Nature/Scientific Reports, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B, Metabolites, Journal of Great Lakes Research, among others. She has been researching the Petromyzon marinus species since 2004, having been invited to integrate, together with other lamprey´s specialists from around the world, the most recent works related with conservation of anadromous lampreys and oceanic phase of sea lamprey. In the academic field, she teaches in the area of Animal Anatomy and Physiology and in Systems and Techniques for the Production of Other Species (Pisciculture). She regularly advises undergraduate and master's students (8 MSc. supervisions completed) and she is currently co-supervisor of 2 doctoral students, 2 ongoing MSc. supervisions and 4 Internship for graduation (she also supervised 25 intership completed). She is author of 2 pedagogical books with ISBN and regularly participates in Masters/PhD juries. In professional terms, she is director of the Course Committee for the 1st cycle in Animal Science and Technology and vice-director of the Course Committee for the Integrated Masters in Veterinary Medicine. She is also an integrated member of the Scientific Council of the Mediterranean Institute of Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED) and integral member of the jury panel for the Best Young Scientist award (Fluviário de Mora). Finally, she was/is a participating member in consultancy projects/service provision in various projects related to migratory fish such as: a) Implementation and Monitoring of the Fish Capture and Translocation Plan b) Plan for Monitoring, Adequacy and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Compensatory Measures for the Fish Fauna Associated with the Ribeiradio-ermida Hydroelectric Power Plant (Phases I and II of Cycle I).¿ GREENVOUGA c) Rehabilitation of Diadromous Fish Habitats in the Mondego River Basin d) Technical and Scientific Support To Evaluate The Efficiency And Efficacy Of The Fish Passage (PPP) Built In The Weir-Ponte De Coimbra