I completed my PhD in Biology at the University of Aveiro in 2018, and since then my research has centred on understanding the resilience of soil systems to anthropogenic activities and by-products, particularly under multi-stress conditions involving climate change, the development of novel materials, and the reuse of wastes. I focus on the effects of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs)—including metals, nanomaterials (NMs), and nano- and microplastics (NPs, MPs)—across multiple biological compartments and organisational levels of soil ecosystems. I have assessed the responses of soil fauna and flora in increasingly complex exposure scenarios and used model species as bioindicators for waste reuse and as active processors of plastics, integrating soil physico-chemical properties into exposure interpretation. In parallel, and recognising the importance of a One Health perspective, I have conducted in vitro studies on senescence induction by hexavalent chromium and on co-exposure of NPs and Bisphenol A in human cells. My scientific output includes 19 peer-reviewed publications, two book chapters, and a growing record of first/sole and last authorships in Q1 journals in environmental sciences (180 citation, Web of Science). During my PhD, I achieved a notable early milestone by performing the first application of a mesocosm-like Soil Multispecies System (SMS) to evaluate the impact of NMs on soil invertebrate communities, demonstrating my early capacity to innovate in ecologically realistic testing. Over the past five years, my contributions include a book chapter synthesising the effects of MPs across terrestrial compartments; studies on the responses of model soil organisms to co-exposure with contaminants of differing nature (drugs, NMs, metals); work on the degradation and biological effects of fragments from compostable plastic bags; and research demonstrating the use of standard ecotoxicological model organisms as bioindicators of soil-health recovery following amendment of acidic, degraded field soils with waste-based formulations. I have also performed data analysis on large, multi-parameter field-trial datasets, integrating biological, physical, and chemical indicators to assess soil-system responses under real-world conditions. Collectively, these outputs advance ecotoxicology toward more realistic, mechanistic, and environmentally relevant approaches. I have participated in 13 research projects, including international consortia such as CARBOGRASS, PERA, LABPLAS, No_Waste, SUN, and 3 COST Actions, where I was responsible for specific research tasks and contributed to experimental design, data interpretation, and reporting. In addition, I have been a collaborator and team member in five national funded projects, further strengthening my interdisciplinary expertise in analytical chemistry, soil characterisation, molecular biology (from cell culture to oxidative-stress enzymatic assays), and microbiology. I have secured individual funding, including an FCT mixed PhD fellowship and an ALTER-Net postdoctoral mobility grant, enabling collaborations across institutions in Portugal, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. I am also strongly committed to scientific dissemination and mentoring, having supervised four bachelor and two master students, participated in and organised international conferences, served as session chair, engaged in EU-promoted outreach activities (Ecology Day 2020; European Researchers’ Night 2022 and 2023), and acted as reviewer for 12 high-impact journals. I have additionally gained teaching experience in biochemisty, environmental science, and soil science, contributing to academic training at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These activities reflect my dedication to knowledge transfer, capacity building, and community engagement, reinforcing my development as an independent and internationally visible researcher.