I hold a five-year degree in Biotechnological Engineering and a Master’s degree in Biological Engineering from the University of Algarve (UAlg), as well as a PhD in Marine, Earth, and Environmental Sciences with a specialization in Environmental Biotechnology. I have over 11 years of research experience at the Environmental Technologies Laboratory (LTA), within the ECOREACH group at CCMAR, where I develop integrated biotechnological and nanotechnology-based solutions for environmental challenges. My work focuses on sustainable strategies that combine biological and chemical methodologies to address critical ecological problems. My early training included an Erasmus internship at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Brussels, Belgium), where I gained experience in recombinant proteins and cationic liposomes as vaccine adjuvants, and an industrial internship at Progenus S.A. (Gembloux, Belgium), a company specializing in molecular diagnostics, where I strengthened my skills in DNA extraction, RFLP-PCR, qPCR, genotyping, and data analysis in a quality-controlled laboratory setting. As a Research Fellow at UAlg, I worked on plant micropropagation, stress physiology, and metal hyperaccumulation mechanisms in plants. Later, at LTA/CCMAR, I expanded my expertise to the biosynthesis, characterization, and functionalization of metal sulfide nanoparticles, exploring their potential for environmental applications. My PhD research advanced the understanding of the degradation of persistent and hazardous pharmaceutical pollutants through three independent and innovative approaches: (1) photocatalysis using metallic sulfide nanoparticles, (2) biodegradation assays employing bacterial communities or isolates recovered from environmental samples, including those from extreme environments, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and (3) complementary studies using granular sludge systems. I have contributed to multidisciplinary projects such as BIONANOMINE, METALCHEMBIO, and PROBIOMA, focusing on nanomaterial development, bioremediation, and environmental solutions, including the implementation of a pilot-scale treatment system at the São Domingos mine site within the METALCHEMBIO project. Currently, my work focuses on the valorisation of agro-residues and invasive macroalgae for environmental applications, including the production and characterization of carbonaceous materials derived from species such as Rugulopteryx okamurae and Caulerpa prolifera. These materials are being explored as sustainable adsorbents and functional materials for pollution mitigation. My research has contributed to the development of novel nanomaterials and biotechnological processes for pollution control and resource recovery. I have supervised students at all academic levels, promoting interdisciplinary research, innovation, and effective knowledge transfer. I have presented my findings at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. My overarching goal is to design and implement innovative, sustainable solutions that promote waste reuse, advance environmental sustainability, and contribute to addressing global ecological challenges.