C. Gkenas earned his PhD from the University of Ioannina in Greece (2013), where he studied the ecology and phylogenetic relationships of Mediterranean freshwater gobies. Throughout his PhD program, he was actively involved in manuscript preparation, teaching assistantship, and participation in research projects, demonstrating his deep commitment to scholarship and the pursuit of scientific excellence. After completing his PhD, he recognized the need to further develop his research mobility and academic skills. To achieve this, he moved to Portugal, where he spent 6 years as a postdoctoral fellow at the MARE – Marine and Environmental Research Sciences Centre, in Lisbon, followed by 4 years as a contracted junior researcher with the Faculty of Science of the University of Lisbon. During this time, he specialized in the field of fish ecology, particularly in the area of invasion biology, focusing on trophic interactions between native and non-native species and the changes they promote in the structure and function of communities and trophic chains at both spatial and temporal levels. C. Gkenas has demonstrated exceptional research skills and abilities, which are reflected in his extensive publication record. He has authored 23 papers, 22 of which are indexed in SCI, making him a highly cited and respected researcher. Among these publications, he led 10 papers, was a senior author on 1, and was a second co-author on 5. In addition to his publication record, he has demonstrated his leadership and project management skills as a principal investigator through his successful acquisition of an SR&TTD project called ISO-INVA., securing funding for 236.187,46€ to support his team. He has also participated in several research projects funded by FCT and national and international institutions. Through these experiences, he has developed his skills in managing complex research projects, coordinating research teams, setting research goals and deadlines, managing budgets and resources, and establishing collaborations with national and international researchers from different backgrounds and disciplines. To enhance his research expertise, he has participated in several workshops and seminars, particularly in the areas of invasive species, food webs, stable isotope techniques, and statistics, specifically in general linear models using R. This additional training has enabled him to deepen his knowledge in stable isotope ecology and food webs, facilitating more comprehensive research on the effects of invasive fish on freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, his expertise in statistics has enabled him to conduct more robust statistical analyses, leading to more accurate and insightful research findings. Overall, his participation in these workshops has further augmented his skills as a researcher and his contribution to the field of aquatic ecology and invasive species research. C. Gkenas is highly committed to tutoring and public outreach, as evidenced by his active participation in research projects. He has organized seminars and conferences and presented talks for the scientific community and other stakeholders. Moreover, he has experience in tutoring, having supervised 1 postgraduate student and mentored 4 Erasmus students and participated in 2 weeks of training for PhD students in basic principles of ecology organized by the Gulbenkian Scientific Institute. He has been an active member of the Iberian Society of Ichthyology and played a key role in the organization of the biennial Iberian Congress of Ichthyology, which brings together researchers from around the world to discuss the latest advances in the field. Throughout his recent research career, he has been actively engaged in growing his network with distinguished national and international researchers, who are renowned experts in their fields. These collaborations have been essential in achieving high-quality results in integrated science related to his area of expertise.