Born and raised in the vibrant and youthful city of Braga, Portugal, I graduated from University of Minho in July 2012 with a Bachelors in Applied Biology. Soon after, I proceeded to do my Masters in that same university, graduating in January 2015 with a Masters in Molecular Genetics and a written thesis on the genomic variability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

After almost six years studying and researching in one Portugal’s top universities, I decided it was time for a change of scenery. That is when REMEDIATE came along and took me all the way up to Northern Ireland. In October 2015 I joined Queen’s University Belfast to do my PhD, eager for exciting times experiencing new cultures and learning new concepts.

My role in REMEDIATE is of an Early Stage Researcher and my PhD path is focused on studying the microbial and viral diversity found at contaminated sites, identifying events of horizontal gene transfer mediated by bacteriophages. To do so I will be using advanced molecular biology techniques, comparative metagenomics and comparative metatranscriptomics.

Despite Belfast being a rainy and cloudy city, the locals were proven to be very warm and welcoming, making living abroad much easier than I expected. Plus, Irish folks know how to have fun and the true meaning of a good banter!

Northern Ireland is a country of exceptional beauty and I cannot wait to drive around in spring and treat my eyes to the stunning coastal landscapes.