My research is focused on clarifying the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in the context of ageing diseases, such as retinal degeneration and Parkinson's disease. In April 2022, I became a Principal Investigator and Group Leader of the Degeneration and Ageing Lab at NMS-UNL. Since 2010, I have secured independent funding as Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI in several research projects for my research lines (total: 537 K). I am also collaborating with ophthalmologists and actively involved in clinical studies (ClinicalTrials.gov database identifier: NCT06355830). Moreover, I participated extensively in advanced training. I supervised 6 post-docs (5 concluded), 7 PhD students (4 concluded), 21 MSc students (19 concluded), 19 concluded scientific traineeships, and managed 7 research assistants. I have also been involved in PhD thesis committees at different universities (6). In this role, I evaluate thesis progress, offer guidance on future directions, and help students achieve successful outcomes. I have also served as a jury member for PhD (9) and MSc (10) defences across multiple universities. Moreover, I had the privilege of lecturing in PhD and MSc programs, and post-graduation courses, at various institutions. I am a member of the Management Committee (MC) of COST ActionBenBedPhar, "Bench to bedside transition for pharmacological regulation of NRF2 in non-communicable diseases" (CA20121, 2021-2025). I have 1 patent under review ( Application EP22217331.2; PCT/IB2023/062075). In my scientific career, I achieved 60 peer-reviewed publications (including a book chapter). I am the first author of 15, co-corresponding author of 5, and the only corresponding author of 2 of these articles. My publications have been cited ~3300 (according to Scopus). Currently, my H-INDEX is 32 (according to Scopus). I had 2 career breaks: 3 children born in 2005 and 2010 (twins).