I (Margarida Cunha Macedo) am a research fellow at Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, contributing to ongoing projects focused on the neural mechanisms underlying motivated behaviors in health and disease. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry (University of Minho, 2023) and a Master’s degree in Health Sciences (University of Minho, 2026). My Master’s dissertation conducted within the Neurosciences Research Domain at ICVS and titled “Endogenous opioid signaling in the nucleus accumbens in motivated behaviors”, provided advanced training in state-of-the-art techniques, including fiber photometry, optogenetics, behavioral paradigms, immunohistochemistry, and advanced data analysis. Currently, I am a team member of three projects, including an ERC grant, as well as FCT-funded projects. My research involvement has contributed to three manuscripts as a co-author, two currently under review, as well as co-authorship in presentations at international conferences. I have also contributed to teaching in advanced courses. I hold DGAV (Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária) accreditation for animal experimentation (Category C). Alongside research, I took on leadership roles within NEBQUM and was actively involved in the organization and participation of scientific and outreach activities.