Ana Meireles completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology and Sciences of Education of the University of Porto in March 2006. Since 2007, she has held the position of Assistant Professor at the Institute of Psychology and Educational Sciences (Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação) and is a Researcher at the Psychology of Development Research Centre (Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento - CIPD), Lusíada University in Porto (Universidade Lusíada, Fundação Minerva). Since her PhD research on pregnancy, Ana's primary focus has been on understanding caregiving dynamics and their impact on individual psychosocial development across the lifespan. Her research interests are centered around the development and adjustment of adolescents and adults. Throughout her career, Ana has actively participated in various community projects and organizations, with contributions including support for informal caregivers and families of individuals with disabilities. Since 2021, she has devoted herself to supporting and empowering Young Carers, while also opening up new avenues for research. Ana has published extensively and contributed to academia through numerous master thesis supervisions, as well as organizing scientific, pedagogical, and community events. Her steadfast dedication to caregiving as a fundamental aspect of human development uniquely positions her to drive transformative social change. Her efforts not only benefit youth and care recipients but also extend their positive impacts to families, social institutions, and communities, embodying the essence of enriching lives and fostering a compassionate, interconnected society. Additionally, Ana is engaged in clinical practice with adults and supervises and trains professionals working in this field.