As a PhD candidate in the International Cancer Doctoral Program (INCP22) at the Champalimaud Foundation, my research focuses on understanding the role of tissue-resident memory (Trm) cells in the metastatic progression of breast cancer within the Tissue Immunity Lab. My doctoral journey requires expertise in oncology, molecular biology, and immunology, developed through multiple research projects across leading institutions. During the first year of my PhD, I conducted research at the Systems Oncology Lab (Champalimaud Foundation), investigating primary-metastatic tumor communication. I later transitioned to the Tissue Immunity Lab, where I now focus on the role of Trm cells in metastatic progression. My master's thesis at the Gene Therapy Laboratory (CEDOC) concentrated on optimizing nonviral vectors for retinal gene therapy, achieving a top score of 20/20. Additionally, I investigated autophagy activation in polyglutamine diseases at CBMR and contributed to marine biology research on ocean acidification at CCMar. My work has resulted in peer-reviewed publications, including studies on gene transfer efficiency and autophagy activation in Huntington’s disease. I have also presented my research at several international conferences, including ARVO, PARD, and the Sociedade Portuguesa de Imunologia Annual Meeting, through both poster and oral presentations. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have gained industry experience as a laboratory technician at GenoMed and contributed to public health efforts as part of the COVID-19 Task Force at Nova Medical School. I am actively engaged in scientific outreach, volunteering for European Researchers Night, organizing PhD retreats, and mentoring students through educational programs. I am also a member of the Sociedade Portuguesa de Imunologia (SPI) and the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR), which keeps me connected with the broader scientific community. Passionate about oncology, particularly breast cancer, and immunology, I am driven by the goal of uncovering novel insights through rigorous scientific inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration.