Since 2008, I have led my own research group, first at the Center for Biomedical Research of the University of Algarve and, since 2016, at i3S. My work ever since has continued to explore how the microenvironment shapes leukemia and lymphoma initiation, progression, and therapy response, contributing to our understanding of disease evolution and paving the way for more effective targeted therapies and immunotherapies for aggressive lymphoid cancers.
During my career, I have authored 33 publications, with over 70% as first or last author, trained 21 researchers, and secured competitive funding at both national and international levels.

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In addition, I am also interested in the long-term consequences of these malignancies on host tissues. Using mouse models of leukemia and lymphoma that can both develop disease and be cured, we are defining persistent microenvironmental alterations in thymus and bone marrow that may impair full recovery, providing insight into disease sequelae in survivors. Another major area of investigation in my group is T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling in T-ALL, where we aim to resolve its dual role in promoting leukemic progression versus triggering apoptosis, with therapeutic implications. Finally, we also explore P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) as a novel immune checkpoint in lymphoma, assessing how antibody-mediated blockade can reverse T-cell exhaustion, remodel the tumor microenvironment, and enhance anti-lymphoma immunity.

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