Ricardo Pereira holds a BSc in Biology (2013) and an MSc in Toxicology and Ecotoxicology (2014) from the University of Aveiro, where he initiated research on mercury contamination and oxidative stress in aquatic organisms. These foundations led to a PhD in Animal Science, specializing in Animal Nutrition, awarded in June 2024 by ICBAS – University of Porto. His doctoral research, developed in collaboration with CIIMAR and CBQF-UCP, focused on the valorisation of agro-industrial by-products (fruits, vegetables, and algae) as functional antioxidant ingredients for aquafeeds, aiming to enhance fish health and feed oxidative stability within circular economy frameworks. His work integrated experimental aquaculture, nutritional physiology, biochemical and haematological analyses, and oxidative stress and immune biomarkers. He conducted in vivo growth, digestibility, and stress trials in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), collaborated on infection challenge studies with CIIMAR’s Aquatic Animal Health team, and applied adapted food science methodologies to assess antioxidant stability, feed preservation, and post-storage fillet quality, including consumer acceptance trials. Currently a postdoctoral researcher at CIIMAR-IPMA’s Seafood Safety and Processing Laboratory, he has participated in multiple national and European R&D projects, acting as a Scientific Initiation Fellow, Master’s and PhD Fellow, Researcher, and Postdoctoral Researcher. This experience strengthened his autonomy in experimental design, data analysis, interpretation, and scientific reporting, while fostering interdisciplinary expertise across aquaculture, marine biology, biochemistry, food science, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. He has organized four scientific events, participated in numerous scientific meetings, and contributed to competitive national and international funding applications, including positively evaluated EU proposals. His scientific output includes ten peer-reviewed articles published in high-impact Q1 journals such as Aquaculture, Antioxidants, and Marine Environmental Research, six of which as first author, resulting in co-authorship with more than 50 researchers and being subsequently cited in over 150 studies, book chapters and reviews in the fields of sustainable aquaculture, functional nutrition, ecotoxicology, and marine biology. Moreover, his work was presented at fourteen oral and poster communications at national and international conferences (e.g. Aquaculture Europe, SETAC, and ISFNF). He possesses solid expertise in aquafeed formulation and processing, fish rearing and physiology, biomarker analysis, statistical analysis, and scientific writing. He is FELASA B certified and has completed advanced training in new feeds and feeding technologies (CIHEAM – University of Zaragoza). Overall, his scientific career is defined by a sustained commitment to advancing sustainable aquaculture through functional nutrition, environmental responsibility, and circular bioeconomy principles, addressing critical challenges in global food production and aquaculture resilience.