My career has been driven mostly by my innate curiosity. My bachelor’s degree has equipped me with basic knowledge about the fields of cellular and molecular biology, organic and bioinorganic chemistry, clinical and analytical biochemistry, metabolism and genetics, all wrapped up by laboratory classes that enabled me to apply knowledge into practical tasks. At the end of my undergraduate studies, I participated in a project were I explored the effects of cellular aging on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) secretome that later culminated in the publishing of these work on the journal Stem Cell Reviews and Reports. After that, I was also a part of a project that aimed to investigate the potential of iMSCs secretome in a 6-hydroxydopamine rat model where I gained my first insight on animal behavior and analysis (manuscript in preparation). I next engaged in the master’s in health sciences which provided me with the opportunity to focus on courses that would be essential to my journey as a researcher. My thesis was dedicated on the establishment of a new animal model, combining genetics and neurodegenerative processes, to study early-onset Parkinson’s disease, which only enforced my ambition to study neuroprotective therapies. Throughout my academic career, I have been actively involved in disseminating my research findings to the scientific community. I presented my work on neurodegeneration at the CONGRESSO SPDMOV 2023, UMinho Research and Innovation Open Days and ICVS Summer Retreat and my collaborative research on the neuroprotective effects of mesenchymal stromal cells' secretome was published in the journal Cytotherapy. My engagement in the scientific community extends beyond research. I have organized and participated in academic events, such as the "Postgraduate Students Retreat MSc or PhD, grab your future" and the I and III editions of the “Jornadas da Ciência". These experiences have enhanced my leadership and organizational skills, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to the academic environment at the University of Minho. In addition to my academic and research pursuits, I have held leadership positions within the Associação Académica da Universidade do Minho (AAUMinho) and the Núcleo de Estudantes de Bioquímica da Universidade do Minho (NEBQUM). These roles have provided me with valuable experience in managing teams and projects, further enriching my professional development. At the moment, I am in my second year as a PhD student at the doctoral program of Biomedicine and Health Sciences at the University of Minho and so far I have supervised 2 undergraduate students, both evaluated with 19 out of 20. Overall, I have published 2 peer-reviewed papers and organized 3 scientific gatherings (July 2024). I have given over 4 oral presentations and 5 poster communications at national and international meetings. Recently, I was awarded the 3R Animal Research Tomorrow 2025 award with my project “Intranasal Administration as Minimally Invasive Alternative for Stem Cell-Based Parkinson’s Disease” obtaining a 3000 euros award to support my investigation.