Ana Rita Dourado completed her BSc degree in Applied Biology in 2021 at the School of Sciences (University of Minho). During the final year of her degree, she joined the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) as a trainee, contributing to a project on the characterization of Ataxin-3 in Machado-Joseph Disease. After this period (2022), she enrolled in the MSc in Biotechnology at the School of Engineering, University of Minho. For her Master’s research, Ana Rita joined Dr. Luísa Pinto Laboratory, where she obtained certification for animal experimentation. Her Master’s project focused on investigating the impact of pre-existing astrocytes ablation on rodent neurophysiology and behavior using novel viral vectors developed in the lab. This research aimed to explore alternative pathways for developing more effective therapies for depression. To accomplish the goals of her project, she has acquired diverse in vivo and in vitro practical skills including behavior testing, stereotaxic surgeries, viral vectors manipulation and injection, immunofluorescence, molecular biology, confocal imaging and colony management. Since completing her MSc in 2023, Ana Rita has been working as a Laboratory Technician at Bn’ML, a University of Minho start-up. In this role, she worked with the R&D team contributing to multiple research projects in an industrial setting. Her work contributed to studies presented at the Eurogenesis 5th Meeting – Adult Neurogenesis in Physiology and Disease (2024) and led to the submission of an research article in January 2025, where she is a co-author, entitled “Chronic Stress and Citogenesis Ablation Disrupts Hippocampal Neuron Connectivity, with Fluoxetine Restoring Function With Sex-Specific Effects” (currently under revision). Within this industrial setting, she developed key additional skills in project management, internationalization, and marketing, as well as scientific advisory services. Her role also involved supporting R&D project applications from consortia of academic and non-academic institutions to European Commission funding calls. Beyond the lab, Ana Rita has been actively involved in science communication and outreach. She has participated in initiatives such as the Brain Awareness Week (2024 & 2025) and the Native Scientists program (2025), organizing educational activities for undergraduate students. Additionally, she has honed leadership and teamwork skills through her involvement in the Student Association and the Scouts, where she engaged in volunteer activities.