I completed my degree in Biochemistry from Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI) in 2006. During my scientific project I worked at Hospital Cova da Beira where I acquired experience in Clinical Microbiology. In 2007 I joined the Centro de Química Física Molecular (CQFM) in Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), and started a PhD in Chemistry in 2009 at the Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon), under the supervision of Prof. Manuel Prieto and Co-supervision of Dr. Liana Silva and Prof. Anthony Futerman. A significant fraction of the PhD work was carried out at the Weinzmann Institute in Israel, in the laboratory of Prof. Anthony Futerman. After completing my PhD in 2013, I joined the Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (IMM) to carry out postdoctoral studies at Prof. Miguel Castanho lab. The project focused on the activity and mechanism of action of viral-derived peptides against bacterial biofilms during different stages of development. In 2014- 2018, I secured a competitive individual FCT research grant (SFRH/BPD/92409/2013) for my postdoc fellowship having work both at IMM and CQFM/IST. I am currently holder of a NT (norma transitória) contract at the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB)/IST. My main line of research is focused on the the establishment of innovative biophysical and imaging tools for the characterization of microbial biofilms and identifying innovative strategies to overcome drug resistance. My recent work resulted in several publications and communications and in the discovery of 1 new potential antimicrobial lead, having a national and international patent applications [Portuguese Patent Nº. 116802, (granted in 21.04.2023). International Patent, Nº. 50030, (filled in 01.10.2021)]. The potential of this work was internationally recognized and contacts with Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC (Germany) and and Beiersdorf (Germany) have been established for further implementation of the patented lead. In 2021 I was awarded as co-PI of a FCT exploratory Research Grant (EXPL/BTM-MAT/0910/2021) and 2022 I was awarded as PI of another FCT exploratory Research Grant (2022.03627.PTDC). In addition, I have been collaborating with multiple national and international research groups including Prof Miguel Camara (Professor in Molecular Microbiology in the School of Life Sciences at Nottingham University and also co-director of the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC)), with whom I will supervise a PhD student.