Joana Palmeirão is a postdoctoral research fellow within the scope of the project "Holy Bodies | An Atlas of 'Corpi Santi' in Portugal" (DOI 10.54499/2022.01486.PTDC), funded by FCT. She holds a PhD in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage from the School of Arts at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Porto). Since 2013, her primary focus has been the study, conservation, and valorisation of the holy martyrs' simulacra (Lat.:'simulacra sanctorum martyrum'), which are reliquaries that arrived in Portugal between the 18th and 19th centuries, containing the exhumed bones ('corpi santi') from the catacombs of Rome. Throughout her career, she has published on this subject in peer-reviewed journals, emphasising the interdisciplinary approaches to the study and preservation of religious heritage. Her research has been presented at numerous national and international conferences, including both oral communications and poster sessions, where she has engaged with academic and professional audiences. In addition to her scholarly work, Joana has supported institutions and private collectors in conserving and disseminating these unique artifacts. She has conducted guided tours to introduce the general public to these religious treasures and has mentored researchers and students with an interest in this field. Since 2016, she has been an active member and consultant for the International Crusade for Holy Relics (ICHR), further contributing to the global dialogue on the preservation and interpretation of holy relics.