My academic background includes a degree in Biology (1995 - FCUL/Lisbon University) and a degree in Forest Engineering (2016 - ESAB/Bragança Polytechnic Institute). I have a MSc in Applied Biology at Aveiro University (2012). I started my career as biologist with a one year research project on the ecology and conservation of the Egyptian Vulture breeding population in the Alto Douro Region (1994-1995). After that I started working as a nature conservation technician in the Portuguese Park Services SNPRCN/ICN/ICNB/ICNF, (1995-2022). Initially, my main tasks were to undertake cliff breeding bird census and monitoring, and also I was responsible for preparing the bid for the creation of the Douro International Nature Park, which was successfully classified in 1998. Between 1998 and 2002 I was one of the three members of the board of directors of the park. Between 1998 and 2011 my work as a technician was divided between bird monitoring and park management; namely all tasks related with governance, planning, bird and habitat recovery, conservation projects, forest management (including forest fire protection), environmental education, eco-tourism promotion, rural development (NGO creation), public relations (as media focal point), and coordinating transboundary cooperation with the Spanish authorities of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park. Between 1998 and 2022, as part of my duties relating to the Douro International Park wildlife conservation and management, I carried out work in Environmental Impact Assessment (being the focal point of ICN in more than 60 different EIA cases). I participated in national projects for protection of birds from power-line mortality (ICNF focal point with electric companies for the North of Portugal) and also an anti-poisoning national campaign (the Antidoto Project). During that period, I worked on Natura 2000 (Bird Directive - SPA) creation, planning and management. I was local coordinator for several national/regional bird atlases and bird census projects, and worked intensively on scavenger birds conservation, as part of a national action plan for those species. Vulture conservation was the main subject for my fieldwork efforts and research. Presently (2023), I am developing my PhD research focused on measuring the ecological effects of rewilding on bird communities and nature conservation in the North of Portugal. For this project I have a scholarship from the Fundação para Ciência e Tecnoclogia (FCT/PT), and am affiliated with the University of Salamanca (Department of Biology), and BIOPOLIS / CIBIO - Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources InBIO Associate Laboratory (University of Porto). Alongside of my professional activities I was a founding member, and board member, of several environmental NGOs: Palombar (1999), AEPGA (1999) and Transumância e Natureza ATN (2000). With ATN I was involved in the creation and management of the Faia Brava Reserve as Portugal¿s first national private protected area (2003-2019). These involvements included extensive practical work with planning, managing and field investigations across many nature/forest activities. I have also carried out extensive public relations, fundraising and international networking. A highlight was the recognition, in 2014, of Faia Brava as one of the first five pilot areas of the very influential Rewilding Europe program). I am member of the IUCN SSC Vulture Specialist Group 2021-2025. In my spare time, as hobbies, I am active in tree surgery (having a technical degree), organic farming (olive production) and the breeding of autochthonous horses and donkeys (in 1999 I was responsible for proposing the official recognition of Miranda Donkey Breed). I am an active birdwatcher and practice running. I am fond of poetry and literature - publishing a poetry book in 2022. Since 2004 I am co-owner and manager of a tourist guesthouse (Casa da Cisterna), located in the historical village of Castelo Rodrigo.