In 2015, I concluded a bachelor’s degree in Biology at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. In 2017, I concluded a master’s degree in Human Biology and Environment, that built my knowledge on environmental changes and their direct consequences to human health and lifestyle. The results of my MSc thesis increased the knowledge on ectoparasites of exotic birds of the Lisbon Zoo (Portugal). This is important because birds maintain contact with innumerable potentially pathogenic agents for themselves, other animals and even humans. The work was supervised by Prof. Teresa Rebelo (University of Lisbon) and Jacinto Gomes (National Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Research, IP). In 2018, I worked on environmental education at the Iberian Wolf Recovery Center (CRLI), accompanying visitors and informing them on the function of the CRLI, the behaviour and life cycle of the Iberian Wolf, the threats it faces and its conservation status in Portugal. In 2021, I concluded a master’s degree in Conservation Biology. My Master thesis, conducted under the supervision of Prof. Rui Rebelo (University of Lisbon) and Dr. Bastian Egeter (NatureMetrics), studied the use of environmental DNA to detect invasive species (an invasive frog, Xenopus laevis) in lotic and lentic freshwater systems. The results of this study allowed to detect the sites where this invasive persists and guide its eradication campaign. From this work resulted two presentations at scientific meetings, the co-authorship of two annual governmental reports (2020 and 2021) on the eradication of the Xenopus laevis in the streams of the Oeiras municipality, and an oral presentation at II Jornadas de anfíbios de Loulé. Since 2020, I have collaborated with the biologists of the city council of Oeiras in several projects which resulted in a co-authorship of a technical document on the strategy for the management and protection of biodiversity in the municipality of Oeiras and a collaboration on the Invasive Alien Species Pocket Guide (Guia de Bolso de Espécies Exóticas Invasoras). Motivated by the accomplishments of my previous work and seeking to pursue a career in scientific research, I became aware of the project "EDGES - Temperature and nutrient interactions in aquatic ectotherms: individuals, populations and communities at latitudinal edges" (PTDC/BIA-BMA/1893/2020). The research plan proposed in the application falls under the scope of the project, granting the means to successfully conduct the research and providing unique learning and collaborative opportunities. I am excited with the prospect of conducting a PhD to study temperature and nutrient interactions in ectotherms, and especially to work with gut microbiota and metagenomics. Lastly, it constitutes a good opportunity for my personal development and to obtain knowledge that contributes for a better understanding of freshwater species adaptations to climate change.