Ana Cerqueira is a Postdoctoral Researcher at CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials - University of Aveiro, Portugal. She completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2023 at the University of Aveiro, where she focused on the synthesis and functionalization of porphyrin and thiazolothiazole derivatives for advanced applications in photodynamic therapy, sensing, and dye-sensitized solar cells. Her current research focuses on: 1 - Developing polysaccharide-based materials for sustainable microbial control, employing advanced processing techniques such as solvent casting, thermomechanical compounding, extrusion, injection molding, and hot-pressing for thermoplastics. ; 2 - Managing and disseminating research outputs to maximize scientific and societal impact; 3 - Collaborating with partner institutions through research secondments, fostering interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and innovation. She is also committed to mentoring students, contributing to the development of the next generation of researchers, and actively participates in science communication initiatives, such as the Junior Chemistry Olympiads and public engagement events like TechDays. Her work bridges interdisciplinary fields, advancing sustainable materials and their applications in healthcare and beyond.