I am a Molecular Ecologist with a BSc in Biology and a MSc in Applied Ecology, both awarded by the University of Aveiro. My current research interests focus on the use of molecular tools to answer ecological questions and to inform management and conservation strategies in vulnerable ecosystems. After finishing my MSc, I worked as laboratory technician in both private and public institutions. I am currently a PhD student at the Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution programme (FCUP, University of Porto, Portugal). My PhD project is being developed in the Deep Sea Biodiversity and Conservation Team (CIIMAR, Portugal) and is focused on combining ecological modelling and molecular approaches to unravel the potential climatic resilience of deep-sea habitat-forming sponges. I have published 4 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals (one as the first author) in the areas of population genetics, genomics and conservation. As a PhD candidate, I am discovering a passion and interest in science support activities and wish to pursue this career path after I finish my degree. In the meantime, I am learning as much as I can in the field, taking courses related to project and data management, proposal writing and ethics/integrity in research.