PhD (2001) in Pharmacy (Cell and Molecular Biology), Universidade de Lisboa. Assistant Professor in the former Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology since 2001, presently in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines. Head of Histology and of Neurobiology in the Integrated master of Pharmaceutical Sciences from Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon. Main research interests are on the Neurosciences area, in the topics of neurobiology, neurotoxicology, neurodevelopment and glial function associated to neurologic conditions and neurodegeneration. Neuroprotection mechanisms is the most relevant area of intervention, embracing the neuroprotective properties of food natural products and food-borne molecules, either introduced in the regular diet or as additives or medicines, by several cell and molecular mechanisms, beyond the traditional antioxidant properties described for food polyphenols.