Simone Varandas is an Assistant Professor at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Forestry Sciences and Landscape Architecture Department, Portugal. She is a member of the research team of the River Ecology Laboratory (LEF-UTAD), member of the antimicrobials, biocides and biofilms Unit, and integrated member from the Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB). Author of more than 80 international peer-reviewed papers. Her main research interest has been carried out in the area of aquatic ecosystems ecology including: a) ecology and conservation of aquatic species; b) biodiversity and functioning of aquatic and riparian ecosystems; c) environmental monitoring in surface waters with special focus on benthic invertebrates, ichthyofauna and habitat characterization; d) river basing management; e) extreme climate events; f) environmental impact assessment in water courses and definition of mitigation measures; g) environmental rehabilitation in watercourses to promote biodiversity; h) ecophysiology of freshwater bivalves; I) exotic species; j) antibiotic resistance research in aquatic ecosystems.