PhD in Geological Oceanography - Paleoceanography from the Graduate School of Oceanography - University of Rhode-Island, USA.  Scientific interests are focused on the oceanographic and climatic conditions that control productivity in the ocean, mainly in coastal upwelling areas, which are important CO2 sinks. Authored 110 ISI scientific papers with 1,550 citations and co-edited the books Reconstructing Ocean History: A Window into the Future and The Climate of the Mediterranean Region.  Initiated paleoceanography / paleoclimatology research in Portugal, has participated in the education of more than 30 young researchers, and launched new research areas at the national level. PI in 6 nationally funded projects and responsible for the Portuguese participation in 8 European projects worth   Euro. At present is the PI of project Cheking Coastal Upwelling Related Diatoms' Biomarkers: Potencial Proxy for Primary Productivity Reconstructions (PTDC/AAG-GLO/3737/2012) with a total funding of 199.951Euros. Was director for the Marine Geology Department (1999 a- 2011), member of the scientific and/or executive committees of International programmes (IMAGES, IODP, MedCLIVAR, Magellan Workshop Series, IGBP-PAGES), and, national representative in the ESF-LESC core & standing committees.