Cancer researcher with 16+ years of experience in tumor microenvironment biology, immunotherapy, gene editing, and targeted therapies, with a strong focus on rare pediatric solid tumors, particularly sarcomas. My work is driven by a strong translational vision, aiming to convert molecular and cellular discoveries into actionable therapeutic strategies that improve clinical outcomes. I hold a Degree and MSc in Pharmacy from the University of Coimbra. Early in my career, I was awarded a competitive fellowship to join Dr. Enrique de Álava’s group in Salamanca, followed by a PhD fellowship from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia . I completed my PhD in Molecular Biology of Cancer at the Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca, focusing on Ewing sarcoma, and subsequently continued as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. de Álava’s team at the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS). During this period, I also earned an MSc in Clinical Trials from the University of Seville, strengthening my ability to bridge experimental research and clinical application. My postdoctoral trajectory includes international experience at the Institute of Cancer Research (London) under Dr. Janet Shipley, where I developed advanced 3D tumor models and optimized innovative invasion assays. I later joined the Tumor Microenvironment and Targeted Therapies Group at CNC – Universidade de Coimbra, initially as a visiting researcher and subsequently as an auxiliary researcher. In parallel with my research activities, I am a lecturer in MSc and PhD programs, where I teach and coordinate modules in tumor microenvironment, translational oncology, and experimental design, and supervise graduate research projects. In 2024, I was awarded a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship (ERA Fellowship) to lead DSRCT-CAR-T, a project dedicated to advancing CAR-T cell strategies for desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) and other immunologically cold solid tumors. My recent work includes the generation of genetically engineered disease models, the study of tumor–stroma interactions, and the design of gene-editing-driven therapeutic approaches. In parallel with my academic career, I am a co-founder of a_b_c_Scientists, a science outreach and education initiative focused on inspiring young students and promoting scientific literacy through hands-on activities, school-based programs, and engagement with the broader community. I have secured independent competitive funding, mentored MSc and PhD students, and fostered multidisciplinary collaborations with clinicians, with the overarching goal of translating innovative biological discoveries into effective therapies for patients with rare pediatric malignancies.