Ricardo has a BSc in Genetics and Biotechnology (UTAD), an MSc in Forensic Genetics and a Specialization in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, both from the University of Porto. His MSc dissertation was performed in Munich, at the Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital LMU, studying microRNAs expression patterns in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, in collaboration with TUM Weihenstephan's group of Animal Physiology and Immunology, in Freising. This work was then poster presented and published in the International Journal of Oncology. Later he worked as a Senior Laboratory Technician at HeartGenetics, a genetic diagnostics company in the cardiovascular field before integrating the group of Population Genetics and Evolution as a Research Fellow.