As a biologist, I am passionate about microorganisms and their capability of adapting to a variety of environments. My curiosity about microbial adaptation led me to join the laboratory of Dr. Inês C. Pereira at the Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology António Xavier (ITQB NOVA) of the New University of Lisbon to embrace the studies of the metabolic pathways of the sulfate/sulfite reducers. Here I developed my Ph.D. project entitled “Novel insights into dissimilatory sulfite reductase”, where I studied the sulfide producers and realized their vital role in several anaerobic environments such as the human gut. During these four years, I was three periods at the University of Bonn – Germany, working in the laboratory of Dr. Christiane Dahl; there I developed my skills in molecular biology and bacterial growth. This relationship is still ongoing due to the proximity that I established with Dr. Fabian Grein, now working at his own laboratory at the University of Bonn, Faculty of Pharmacy. At the end of my Ph.D., I published an article in "Science" as the first author identifying the role of a crucial protein (DsrC) as responsible for the reduction of sulfite to sulfide in sulfate-reducing prokaryotes. Knowing that these organisms are associated with several human diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and autism, I became intrigued by their mechanisms of action. Now, I want to continue my personal project on understanding how microorganisms strikingly influence human disorders. Thus, I aim to use my background in microbiology/sulfate-reducing prokaryotes and sulfur biochemistry to understand how microbes can be associated with human diseases. To fulfill my goal I team up with Dr. Cecília M. P. Rodrigues, Head of Cellular Function and Therapeutic Targeting laboratory at the Research Institute for Medicines, University of Lisbon (iMed.ULisboa), who is a recognized expert on liver diseases with interests in the gut-liver axis. we recently published our first work in "Gut Microbes" where we found a Limosilactobacillus that could ameliorate liver disease and contributed to host homeostasis. Equally important, research groups at iMed.ULisboa anchors scientific platforms where innovative technologies, methods, and research structures are developed to support the various programs. Administrative provision, research communication, and networking activities are also attractive to further developing my research career. Thus, my aim is to understand how gut microbiota-derived metabolites may impact human diseases. My projects focus on diet mice models and how it correlates with human samples to identify potential metabolites and biomarkers involved in the onset and progression of liver and Intestinal diseases. Finally, my ultimate goal is to target gut microbiota and miR dysfunction as potential new therapeutic approaches. Author or co-author of 7 articles and 14 conference abstracts.