I've completed PhD in Structural Biology in 2002 and presently hold a position as Research Assistant Professor at UCIBIO-NOVA, started in 2003.

My present research interests are focused in the search for uncharacterised biological protein-carbohydrate interactions with potential biotechnological use in nutrition, in pharma and in the biofuel industry. For this, among other structural biology and biophysics methods, I use the powerful information provided by X-ray Crystallography, which allows drawing conclusions related to macromolecular interactions, either protein-protein or protein-ligand. Additionally, I've also been strongly dedicated to the study of the phenomena behind protein crystallisation and new methods to improve it.

I have completed the supervision of 3 PhD students (one awarded the Antonio Xavier Prize for the Best Thesis in 2013) and presently supervise 3 PhD students, from the MolBios and Biochemistry Doctoral programs, 1 of them concluding her Thesis in 2020. I have also trained 6 MSc students, 5 hired Post-Doctoral Fellows, and 14 other post-graduate students. Additionally, I have tutored 18 under-graduate students.

In the beginning of my contract as Researcher, I held a contract as Invited Assistant Professor of FCT-NOVA, for 5 years. Additionally, I was a member of the Scientific Council of FCT-NOVA, from 2012 to 2015. I keep a regular support to 2nd and 3rd cycles in the Biochemistry section in FCT-NOVA and other institutions, when invited. I have organised several hands-on advanced courses, notably 2 editions (2014 and 2015) of the Instruct-ERIC/COST-supported international course ISBIO (https://eventos.fct.unl.pt/isbio) and a 3rd edition to be held in July 2021.

As Principal Investigator, I have coordinated 4 national FCT-MCTES funded projects and was member of team in 12 other projects. I have also integrated the winning teams of the Santander-Totta Scientific Merit Award, in 2012, and the Bluepharma Innovation Award, in 2013. Up to January 2020, my research activity has produced 46 peer-reviewed publications and 5 book chapters, 20 invited and 17 co-authored oral communications. I have co-authored more than 80 poster communications (6 awarded as Best Poster). I’m Guest Editor of a Special Issue from open access journal Crystals (MDPI Publishers; https://www.mdpi.com/journal/crystals/special_issues/novel_protein). 

As science outreach activities, I have dynamized the celebrations of the International Year of Crystallography, in 2014, and the International Year of Chemistry, in 2011. From 2006-2012, I was regular translator of the Science-in-School magazine. I maintain the group's social network website (https://www.facebook.com/XtalNOVA) and my own (https://docentes.fct.unl.pt/almc/). From January 2020, I was assigned duties as Ambassador for the Science Communication & Outreach of the XTAL research lab.