My research primarily addresses questions relating to biodiversity and resilience of marine ecosystems, with the aim of improving the understanding of their functioning (patterns, drivers, processes and threats). After studying the functional response of marine fish assemblages to human-induced changes (MSc and PhD research), I became increasingly aware that a new multi-taxa approach is needed to advance knowledge on ecosystem vulnerability and to prioritize management and conservation actions. Thus, since 2014 I study the resilience of estuarine and marine ecosystems by assessing functional diversity patterns, drivers and responses, recently incorporating the challenge of food web modelling to move towards a truly integrated ecosystem approach. I am currently a auxiliary researcher at the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), where I have been conducting research on the development of new environmental assessment indicators, analyzing spatiotemporal biodiversity patterns, and assessing the impacts and risks to marine habitats. My work also involves applying these findings directly to marine monitoring, management, and conservation efforts under IPMA's responsibility.