She is a research assistant at the Botany Laboratory of the University of Évora and a PhD student in Sustainability Sciences at the University of Lisbon. She holds a Master's degree in Biological Resource Management (2007) and a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science Engineering (1996), both from the University of Évora. Her PhD project, titled “Could a Biodiversity Market be a Solution to Increase Ecosystem Services in a Multifunctional System?”, explores innovative approaches to enhancing ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. Her research focuses on market-based solutions for biodiversity conservation, aiming to financially reward landowners who adopt good agricultural practices that reconcile production with environmental protection. Carla's research is action-oriented and follows a co-creation approach, working closely with stakeholders to develop practical solutions that integrate scientific knowledge with local needs. She has extensive experience in the design and management of projects aligned with the 2030 Agenda, particularly in agroforestry systems, sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation, and environmental education, in both Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOPs). She is a collaborative member of MED (Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development) & CHANGE (Global Change and Sustainability Institute), CE3C (Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change) and ADVANCE (Centre for Advanced Research in Management).