I obtained my PhD in Marine Sciences at the University of the Azores (UAç). I joined the Azores Marine Litter Research Lab at the OKEANOS-UAç, in 2016 . During the first five years, I worked as a research assistant on three projects, AZORLIT, LIXAZ, and IMPLAMAC, contributing to studies on plastic pollution across marine environments, ranging from coastal habitats to the open ocean. During that time, I also integrated the European projects INDICIT I and II, addressing the use of sea turtles as bioindicators for marine litter. Later, in my PhD thesis, I investigated the effects of plastic pollution on pelagic marine vertebrates, promoting a selected species as an official bioindicator of floating plastics within the framework of the OSPAR Commission and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. For deep-sea ecosystems, I have analysed underwater imagery collected by ROVs and submersibles to investigate the occurrence of deep-sea litter and assess its impacts on ecosystems and benthic organisms. I have contributed as a team member to through the already closed project ‘Plastdeep. At the moment, I work in the EU project ‘BIOPROTECT.

My research focuses on investigating anthropogenic threats and evaluating its impacts across diverse environments and biological communities. More recently, I have narrowed my research focus to understanding the impacts of marine debris on megafauna, particularly the ecological and conservation consequences of plastic ingestion and entanglement. Part of my research is specifically aimed at supporting evidence-based policies that address plastic pollution. In this context, I have developed concise and targeted policy tools to ensure that scientific findings are effectively translated into actionable recommendations for decision-makers.