Dércia Santos received her PhD in the international Doctoral Program Marine Science, Technology, and Management (Do*Mar) from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro in 2022. She has a degree in Genetics and Biotechnology (2010) and a Master's in Biotechnology for Health Sciences (2013) from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (School of Life and Environmental Sciences). Her research has primarily contributed to areas related to ecosystem toxicology and environmental and aquatic sciences, with a particular emphasis on understanding the toxic interactions of water pollutants on fish fitness and survival, neurodevelopment, and behavior.