I completed my PhD in Psychology at the University of Minho in 2003. Currently, I am an Associate Professor at ISPA - Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida. I have authored more than 60 papers in specialized journals, showcasing my research in the fields of education and educational psychology. As an associate professor at ISPA, I am deeply committed to both research and teaching. I played a pivotal role as one of the founding members of a research unit specializing in developmental and educational psychology. Additionally, I contributed to the establishment of the Research Centre in Education at ISPA, and in 2024, I was involved in founding EDUNOVA.ISPA.. From 2020 to 2024, I had the privilege of leading the Research Centre in Education, and starting in 2025, I will be leading EDUNOVA.ISPA. Throughout my career, my primary focus has been on understanding the intricacies of learning processes. Initially, my research delved into socio-cognitive processes related to learning and cognitive development. However, my trajectory gradually shifted towards what can be termed as the "affective components of learning." In this domain, my interest deepened in exploring the relationships between affective components of learning—such as self-esteem, self-concept, motivation, emotions—and academic achievement. My work in this area, along with active participation in national and international conferences, has facilitated collaborative networks and joint research. I have been involved in various research projects funded by national and European agencies. As a member of the European Association for the Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI), I chaired the 9th International Conference on Motivation within the SIG Motivation and Emotions. In my capacity as a teacher, I have covered undergraduate to PhD courses in Educational Psychology and Research Methods. At ISPA, my contributions extended beyond the classroom. I served as a member of the Pedagogical and Scientific Council, Vice-Rector, Director of the Department of Educational Psychology, Director of the School of Education, Director of the Integrated Master’s in Psychology, and of the Master’s in Educational Psychology, among other positions. In these diverse roles, I played a pivotal role in shaping strategic decisions aimed at enhancing the quality of ISPA's training offerings.