I moved from Portugal to do my BSc in Biomedical Sciences and Immunology at Brunel University. It was there that I became interested in microbiology, viral diseases and how the cells respond to infection. I then completed my MSc in Medical Microbiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where I developed a RT-qPCR-based assay for the diagnosis of Ebolavirus for integration into next generation diagnostic platforms. After this, I worked at Public Heath England as a Healthcare Scientist processing clinical specimens for the diagnostics of Mycobacterial infections, supporting the local, regional, and national response to tuberculosis.

My studies and employment experience inspired me to return to academic research and join Dr Tom Wileman’s research group. With this project, we want to better understand LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), a cellular response essential in eliminating pathogens at the entry stages of intracellular infection.