Mariana Ladeiro Afonso holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, a Master’s degree in Biochemistry (with an Erasmus+ mobility period in Poland), and is currently a PhD candidate of the Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences (Biomedical Sciences specialisation) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) doctoral fellowship. Her research explores host–pathogen interactions, focusing on the role of 3’-nucleotidase/nuclease and extracellular nucleotide metabolism in the ability of Candida spp. to evade Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) and persist within the host, integrating biochemical, cellular, genetic, and in vivo approaches to investigate fungal pathogenic fitness. Mariana has authored two peer-reviewed publications, with two additional manuscripts currently in preparation/ under submission, and has presented her work at multiple national and international scientific meetings. She completed certified training in Laboratory Animal Science (FELASA C) and has undertaken short-term research stays at the University of Würzburg (Germany) and the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), strengthening her international scientific collaboration. She has mentored laboratory training of undergraduate and master’s students and has been recognised with a poster award at a scientific conference. She has also been actively involved in science communication initiatives.