I am a passionate and driven young scientist with a strong academic foundation in biology and biotechnology, complemented by meaningful research experience in aquaculture and microbial biotechnology. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology (2022, 16/20) and a Master’s degree in Applications in Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology (2024, 18/20), both from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. My academic and research trajectory has been consistently guided by a commitment to sustainable innovation in aquaculture and a curiosity for host-microbe interactions and nutritional strategies. My Master's thesis, developed as part of the CIIMAR BYT+ program and carried out within the NUTRIMU – Fish Nutrition and Welfare Group, focused on the use of recombinant bacterial spores as carriers of chitinases to improve the digestibility of insect meal in aquaculture fish diets. The project, titled “ProbioChit – Spores of Probiotics as Carriers of Chitinases for Improved Insect Meal Utilization in Aquaculture Fish,” integrated microbiology, molecular biology, and fish nutrition. I was responsible for conducting in vivo feeding trials with zebrafish, developing experimental diets, and assessing key physiological parameters such as growth performance and chitinase enzymatic activity. Additionally, I performed bacterial spore engineering and surface protein expression validation through Western blotting, gaining extensive laboratory experience with recombinant DNA technologies. Throughout this work, I acquired advanced data analysis skills, becoming proficient in IBM SPSS for statistical analysis and experienced with image and protein analysis software including ImageJ and Bio-Rad Image Lab. These skills, combined with my rigorous scientific writing and critical thinking abilities, have prepared me to contribute meaningfully to complex and interdisciplinary academic environments. Beyond laboratory work, I actively participated in scientific dissemination. I presented my research at the BYT+ program closing ceremony and at Microsummit 2024, organized by the Portuguese Society for Microbiology. I also attended the 3rd International Symposium on Mucosal Health in Aquaculture (MHA2024), where I engaged with ongoing research in fish health, immunology, and microbiome science. These experiences not only enhanced my communication skills but also deepened my interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Currently, I am volunteering with CIIMAR’s MBAqua – Microbiology and Biotechnology in Aquaculture research group, and I am starting a position as an assistant researcher in the project FEEDGUTBRAIN - Microbiota-gut-brain axis and appetite regulation in fish: modulating gut microbiota through the use of probiotics, in order to deepen my skills in developing diets, conducting in vivo digestibility/growth trials with aquacultural fish, digestive enzyme activity, gene expression analysis and western blot analysis . Fluent in Portuguese and English, with basic knowledge of French and Spanish, I am confident in my ability to work across diverse research teams and academic cultures. My ultimate goal is to pursue a PhD that allows me to explore the interface between microbial biotechnology and sustainable aquaculture, contributing to innovations in fish health, nutrition, and environmental impact mitigation. I am eager to join a research program that values curiosity, collaboration, and real-world application of scientific knowledge.