I received a Ph.D. in Evolution and Development from the University of Cambridge in 2001 and I am currently leading a laboratory within the "Developmental and Evolutionary Morphogenesis" group". I am a professor of Genetics at the University of Lisbon, Animal Biology Department.
My research focuses on the evolution, development and physiology of the immune response in Drosophila. Over the years I have worked with different arthropod models, including other Drosophila species, wasps and spider mites. We are part of the DrosEU consortium, an international collaborative effort to leverage Drosophila population genetics research. Our research programme combines the comparative method with experimental evolution with the overarching aim of identifying both proximate and ultimate mechanisms of the immune response.