I am a Junior Researcher with a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (2016, University of Porto) and over a decade of experience in microbiology and infection research, particularly focused on Mycobacterium species. I currently lead a team within the Host Targets of Infection group at i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, and I am an Invited Assistant Professor of Microbiology at ICBAS, University of Porto.
Moreover, I am vice-chair of the ADVANCE-TB COST Action 21164.
My scientific career has resulted in over 25 peer-reviewed articles (h-index: 16, >500 citations); participation in 17 funded projects, working with both national and international teams in microbiology, infection, and biophysics, being the Principal Investigator in 3 projects; and supervision of 3 PhD (2 ongoing), 6 master and 7 undergraduate students, and mentored several others.
I have significant experience with mycobacteria, especially M. avium and M. abscessus, high-throughput drug screening, biofilm, and in vitro and in vivo infection models, together with biosafety level 2 and 3 experience. I am accredited by FELASA and DGAV (Portugal) for the design and conception of procedures and projects with experimental animals and have extensive experience with murine infection models.
I am currently the Principal Investigator of MabExpress (COMPETE2030-FEDER-000682600), a project dedicated to advancing new therapies against Mycobacterium abscessus.