I am driven by curiosity and passion for biodiversity, entomology, and genetics. I was born and raised in a rural village in Portugal and since my earliest recollections, I have always been fascinated by how biology and evolution shape the world. My fascination turned academic when I studied Animal Science. This took me to embrace the world taking part in adventures and finding my calling in international development integrating beekeeping as a vector for strengthening livelihoods. From 2015 to 2016, I worked in commercial beekeeping in New Zealand, as a consultant for strategic planning, development and coordination of Manuka honey production and processing. Currently, I am the Honey Project Manager at Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique and I am also in my third year of an Animal Breeding and Genetics PhD at Sao Paulo State University (Brazil). Concomitant with my field of research I have also spent the last six years, working on implementing sustainable and community-based beekeeping projects in Angola, including trials of beehive fences to prevent human-elephant conflicts.