Sandra Rafael is a team leader at the Institute of Environment and Development, University of Aveiro, and works in the areas of Atmospheric Processes and Modelling, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Strategic Environment Assessment. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from the University of Aveiro (2017), a Master's in Environmental Engineering (2012), and a degree in Environmental Engineering from the Polytechnic School of Coimbra (2010). She has participated in several EU and national funded projects. Since 2017, she has been a fully integrated member of the CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies. She was awarded the Researcher Award University of Aveiro—2021 Edition (honourable mention in the Engineering research area), which is a prize that aims to highlight the research work carried out at the UAVR and recognize, annually, the excellence of the researcher or research team whose work has stood out at national and international level. Because of her expertise, she was invited to be a Collaborating Expert in the Thematic Agenda for Research and Innovation about CC, promoted by FCT. She is also a member of the network of Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC).