João Encarnação finished his Masters in Marine Ecology in 2012 in the University of Lisbon and the Bachelor in Marine Biology in 2010 in the University of Algarve. Since January 2019 is attending the doctoral program of Marine, Earth and Environmental Sciences in the University of Algarve. His PhD Thesis is entitled "The new aquatic fauna of southern Portugal and their potential as economic resources: a collaborative merge between science and society" and is supported by a PhD Scholarship from the Foundation for Science and Technology.
So far has published 9 peer-reviewed scientifc articles as first author and 7 others as co-author. Has participated in several national and international projects and scientific expeditions, and contributed with photographs to 5 books. Founder and coordinator of the NEMA citizen science project: www.NEMAlgarve.com.