I graduated in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences from the School of Health of Porto in 2022, obtaining dual professional licenses in Clinical Analysis and Public Health, as well as Pathology, Cytology, and Thanatology. Currently pursuing a Molecular Genetics Master's degree at the School of Sciences, University of Minho, I am deeply engaged in the APTAcoli project for my dissertation, titled “Aptamers for blocking enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli toxins”, at the National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV). In the early stages, I successfully optimized and validated a molecular method for detecting key virulence factors in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), including fimbriae and toxins. Progressing to the core of my research, I am actively involved in the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) methodology, aiming to isolate specific aptamers against ETEC toxins. At the same time, I contribute to the TRACE-RICE project, nearing completion, which focuses on developing and validating a molecular methodology to detect hidden insect infestation in rice. While my passion lies in molecular biology and microbiology, my current research explores antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens, seeking innovative approaches to combat infections in both human and animal domains.