Ana Cunha completed the PhD in Sciences-Biology in 2002 by University of Minho (UM), the Master in Plant Production (Forestry Improvement) in 1994 by the Higher Institute of Agronomy (UL) and the graduation in Biology in 1989 by the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. Is Assistant Professor in UM and a Researcher of the Center of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA-UM). Currently is an Elected member of the Biology Department Steering Committee (School of Sciences of UM - ECUM), Elected member of the Scientific Council of ECUM, and former Elected member of the General Council of UM. She is also a member of the Scientific-Pedagogical Committee of the International Doctoral Programme Agrichains: Agricultural Production Chains - From Fork to Farm, and a member of the Direction Committee of the Master's Degree in Plant Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship (ECUM). She has published articles in peer reviewed journals (44), books (2) and book chapters (4); organized scientific events and national and international congresses (e.g., Iberian Plant Biology 2023), participated in 17 projects (e.g. FCT, INTERREG, HORIZON-RIA); contributed to graduation and post-graduated formation by supervising PhD theses (3), MSc dissertations (46) and final graduation projects (55). Besides teaching, research and management she has always been actively involved with the community by developing projects, events and a sort of activities. With a strong background and experience in plant ecophysiology, plant tissue culture and plant biochemistry, she developed subsequent investigation mainly in two lines: a) in vivo photosynthesis by non-invasive chlorophyll fluorescence techniques and b) bioactivities of plant-derived natural products. The first one exploring different avenues, like the development of the photosynthetic phenotype of in vitro plants, response to stresses (high light, salt, water deficit, oxidants) and the biocompatibility of polymeric biosensors of water stress on plants. She has focused on fruit photosynthesis using the grape berry as model, from the characterization of photosynthetic activity at the histological level, evolution throughout development and ripening and as response to different light microclimates (1-3), to kaolin application as a mitigation strategy against the impact of climate changes in grapevine (4-5) and its relation to secondary metabolism and expression of associated genes (6-9). In a collaboration with FCUP colleagues, she has assessed physiological responses of crop species to abiotic stresses caused by heavy metals and herbicides in agricultural soils (10-11) and by heat, salinity and water deficit (12-14). This line is particularly important for providing information for more rational agricultural practices under climate challenges. Recently, in collaboration with CeNTI, its evaluating plant responses to biopolymers as water stress biosensors. The second line of investigation started to explore phytotoxicity (from in vitro and ex situ assays to field trials) of plant and propolis extracts, as well as antimicrobial activities (15-18) especially of phytopathogens (19-24), aiming the use of more sustainable and safe alternatives to pesticides aligning with the One Health approach (WHO) and The European Green Deal (EC). In the context of Interreg projects (Res2ValHum, REs4ValOr), with the goal to increase composting and the valorization of organic composts, she focused on the effects of organic composts and humic substances in plant crops and weeds and microorganisms relevant for the agro-food sector aiming to valorize organic residues, reduce waste, complying with a more circular economy and contributing in setting the basis for a more custom-made farm (25-26). Together, these lines of investigation aim to contribute to the global effort that the scientific community in pulling ahead in meeting the SDGs set at the Agenda 2030 and the Farm to Fork strategy (EC).