João Henrique Gonçalves Sousa’s academic journey is marked by multidisciplinary collaboration and critical thinking. He completed his degree in Biology with a specialization in Cellular and Molecular Biology, at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, a Portuguese university leading the main international rankings (e.g. CTWS-Leiden). He obtained a master’s degree in Biotechnology from the Faculty of Science and Technology NOVA, from NOVA University of Lisbon, which stands out in international rankings among the best European universities founded less than 50 years ago, and the first Portuguese university in the QS Graduate Employability Ranking 2020. He developed his master's thesis at the Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), a private non-profit SME intensive in Biotechnology research, the largest Portuguese institution of this type, with several international collaborations and hosting 4 satellite laboratories of large pharmaceutical companies. During the master's thesis work, that was developed in the Food and Health department, he engaged in a multidisciplinary project, alongside a young, dynamic, and international team under the supervision of Doctors Ana Teresa Serra and Sheila Alves. The thesis work was part of the ReHalAntiOx project (Reference EXPL/ASP-AGR/1655/2021), funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). Part of the results obtained in the thesis were published in a scientific paper the Antioxidants journal in 2023 (doi: 10.3390/antiox12061161), with already 3 citations according to Google Scholar, demonstrating the impact of this work into scientific community. After completing his master's degree, he was an active member of NOVAearth an innovative project selected for funding Startup Madeira, within the scope of the startNOW program. NOVAearth, which was a sustainable project with the objective of developing ecological body wash products. His participation in NOVAearth project showcased his ability to work within multidisciplinary teams and apply his scientific knowledge to real-world challenges. From April 2023 to March 2024 (EPAP program) and from June 2024 to September 2024 (Ingress@ program), he completed a professional internship supervised by professor João Rodrigues and Mara Gonçalves (PhD) and funded by the Instituto de Emprego da Madeira and Direção Regional da Juventude, at the Madeira Chemical Research Center (CQM) of the University of Madeira - a fundamental research center for the implementation of R&D activities in Chemistry and Biochemistry in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, which carries out research in the areas of natural products and materials, being the only center in the region classified as an Excellent Research Unit by the FCT. During the internship, João engaged in research activities aimed at valorizing residual biomass for 3D cell culture scaffold development as part of the INV2MAC project, whose objective was the valorization of residual biomass generated from eradication campaigns and the control of invasive plant species present in Macaronesia. Also during that period, João participated in several events at Madeira Chemical Research Center (CQM) including lectures, seminars, and courses, highlighting his selection to the oral presentation of results as part of the completion of the INV2MAC project. Throughout these experiences, João demonstrated his capacity for critical thinking and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, essential skills for his academic and professional advancement.