Catarina Almeida is a dedicated researcher with a strong academic background in Biomedical Sciences. She holds both a BSc and an MSc from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Beira Interior. During her Master's program, Catarina conducted a compelling dissertation under the supervision of Dr Liliana Bernardino. Her research focused on evaluating the role of C-terminal binding proteins in adult neurogenesis, resulting in multiple oral communications, poster presentations, and an original article, where she is acknowledged as the first author. Catarina has also contributed as a co-author to various publications. Following her Master's, Catarina embarked on a research fellowship at the Health Sciences Research Centre of the University of Beira Interior. Under the supervision of Dr Liliana Bernardino and Dr Ana Clara Cristóvão, she investigated the neuroprotective and neurogenic effects of antioxidant formulations in Parkinson's disease. Currently, Catarina is conducting her PhD thesis at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Beira Interior, under the supervision of Dr Liliana Bernardino and co-supervision of Dr Ana Clara Cristóvão, and at Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) of the University of Luxemburg, under the co-supervision of Dr Jens Schwamborn. Her work aims to unveil the role of microRNAs in the autophagy-lysosomal pathway in Parkinson's Disease. This experience deepened her expertise in a range of scientific techniques, including in vivo experiments, primary cell cultures, organoid generation, molecular and cellular biology techniques, and confocal and fluorescence microscopy. Her proficiency extends to various scientific software, such as Matlab, R, Microsoft Office tools, GraphPad Prism, and imaging software like Zeiss AxioVision and Adobe Illustrator. Throughout her academic journey, Catarina has not only honed her technical skills but has also developed personal and social attributes. She has excellent communication skills, strong team spirit, a sense of responsibility and organization. With a meticulous and methodical approach to her work, Catarina excels in planning and accomplishing tasks. Her commitment to good laboratory practices, coupled with a genuine motivation to learn and acquire new skills, sets her apart as a dedicated and accomplished researcher. Moreover, she possesses a solid foundation in informatics and programming, including proficiency in Matlab, R, and various essential software tools for scientific research.