Sofia obtained her Biochemistry degree in the University of Beira Interior, Covilhã. Her master in Cell and Molecular Biology was done in a collaboration between the University of Aveiro and of Beira Interior, where she focused on validating novel protein-protein interactions for Alzheimer?s amyloid precursor protein (Neurosciences lab, Aveiro). Later, she did her PhD work in the University of Exeter, Exeter, UK, in which she aimed to unveil the mechanisms for microtubule-based peroxisome motility and distribution by exploiting the filamentous fungus Ustilago maydis. Here she obtained expertise in manipulating U. maydis as well in different microscopy techniques. After obtaining her PhD she did a Post Doc in the ICRN, Milan, Italy. The work focused in molecular dynamics studies, virtual high-throughput screenings and designing of peptides for protein-protein interactions interfaces to be used as drugs in the scope of male infertility. Currently, her main interest is in the establishment of a fungal model, U. maydis, as a simple, accessible, high-throughput platform for mechanistic studies and to screen for compounds that can enhance axonal growth.