Researcher in neurodegeneration with nearly two decades of experience in biomedical research, specialized in Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. My scientific trajectory is defined by a sustained focus on disease mechanisms at the interface of neuroscience, immunology, metabolism and microbiology, with particular emphasis on immune-driven disease progression and gut–brain axis dysfunction. I hold a PhD in Neuroscience and Disease from the University of Coimbra, where my work focused on mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and neuroprotective strategies in neurodegeneration. This training provided a strong foundation in cellular and molecular neuroscience, in vivo disease models, behavioral analysis and advanced imaging techniques. During my doctoral training, I undertook an invited international research stay at the Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm, Sweden), in Cesare Patrone’s group at the Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset. This experience strengthened my international profile, expanded my expertise in metabolic and aging-related mechanisms of neurodegeneration, and contributed directly to a peer-reviewed publication in Neurobiology of Aging, reinforcing my ability to generate internationally competitive research outputs. Since then, I have progressively expanded my expertise toward systemic and translational perspectives, integrating immune regulation and microbiota-derived mechanisms into the study of Parkinson’s disease. Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher at CiBB – Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, where I have been an active member since 2012. Within this environment, I have contributed to the development of original research questions, experimental strategies and mechanistic frameworks addressing how peripheral immune dysregulation sustains neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration after disease onset. My recent work focuses on post-onset disease-modifying strategies, aiming to move beyond prevention-focused paradigms toward therapeutically relevant interventions applicable at the time of diagnosis. My research output includes more than 43 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in international journals, reflecting consistent productivity and impact in the fields of neurodegeneration, mitochondrial biology and neuroimmunology. These works have contributed to current understanding of microbiota–mitochondria–immune interactions and their relevance for Parkinson’s disease progression. I have actively participated in national and international collaborative projects and contributed to both mechanistic and translational studies, including immune profiling, biomarker identification and preclinical therapeutic evaluation. Alongside research activities, I have been involved in the training of undergraduate students and in teaching activities within the Biomedical Engineering curriculum at the University of Coimbra. I have also assumed institutional responsibilities as Postdoctoral Representative at CiBB, contributing to scientific initiatives, early-career researcher representation and research evaluation processes. Overall, my profile reflects a coherent progression toward scientific independence, combining solid technical expertise, conceptual development and translational ambition. My current research aims to establish immune modulation of the gut–brain axis as a viable disease-modifying strategy in Parkinson’s disease, while consolidating an independent and internationally competitive research trajectory within the Medical and Health Sciences domain.