Associate Professor with Habilitation, Principal Investigator at the Food Science Lab (FSLab), and Integrated PhD Researcher at the Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment, and Development (MED).

Academic Qualifications: 2021: Habilitation in Biological Sciences (specializing in Biochemistry and Biotechnology), University of Algarve. 1999: PhD in Agronomic Engineering (Plant Biochemistry), Institute of Agronomy, Technical University of Lisbon. 1993: Master's in Food Science and Technology, Technical University of Lisbon. 1990: Bachelor's in Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon.

Research Focus: The research focuses on the biochemical and pharmacological profiling of natural compounds derived from plants and algae, aiming to uncover their potential applications in both medical and agrochemical domains. This involves studying the accumulation of these compounds and exploring the genes and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. A major goal is to assess the biological properties of these natural substances, with particular interest in their role in developing innovative food products that offer health benefits. Additionally, the research evaluates the inhibitory effects of plant and algae extracts on enzymes linked to key human diseases, such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. She has supervised numerous postdoctoral, PhD, and master's students and serves as the principal investigator for several funded research projects. Additionally, she is a reviewer for national research projects and grants. Her work has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and books, and she has been invited to present at national and international conferences and scientific meetings.