I graduated in Biology, Marine Biology branch (2004), at the same university. I then completed a post-graduate specialization in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources at CIBIO, Faculty of Sciences, University of Oporto in 2007 and obtained a master’s degree in
marine biology and Conservation (2017) at ISPA – University Institute in Lisbon. I am today a Ph.D. student in Biology at the University of the Azores.

My most recent research interests include non-indigenous marine species (NIS) and their impact on the Azores archipelago. The doctoral work plan includes assessment of the occurrence and distribution of NIS, detection of NIS macroalgae through metabarcoding and assessment of the impact of NIS on local coastal marine communities. In addition, I have an interest in marine protected areas, marine conservation, and a long-standing passion for cetacean biology.