“The degree in Microbiology gave me the necessary foundations to fulfill my dream of becoming a researcher in Medical Microbiology. The rigor, laboratory skills and the development of critical thinking acquired over the four years of my degree were fundamental for my career as a teacher and as a scientist.”

Escolhi estudar na Escola Superior de Biotecnologia porque a sua oferta educativa e curricular era precisamente aquilo que eu procurava. Assim que li pela primeira vez a brochura do curso de Microbiologia soube que era exatamente aquilo que queria seguir. Logo nos meus primeiros dias de aulas já sinto que estou no lugar certo e que vai ser uma jornada incrível. Sinto-me ainda muito otimista em relação à qualidade do ensino da instituição e confiante que aqui vou desenvolver importantes competências que vou necessitar ao longo da minha vida profissional. Estou ainda confiante que vou ter muitas oportunidades que me vão abrir caminhos diversos, tanto a nível académico como profissional. Mal posso esperar!

“Microbiology has played a very important role throughout the different stages of my life. In an initial phase by improving my critical sense and analysis, which were reinforced with a PhD in the area. Later, it facilitated the job market. In my specific case, integrating R&D tasks with the company's objectives, in the writing and compilation of technical-scientific documents, among others. I also felt that the fact that it was a UCP course was seen as an asset in the job market. On the other hand, there is an interesting group / networking that allows us to get support / ask questions / build projects in different areas.”

If science were a map, my Bachelor’s in Microbiology gave me the compass and the toolkit. By combining theory and laboratory practice in a holistic way, it opened doors to microbiology, (bio)chemistry, genetics, and the study of microbial diversity. With the autonomy and ambition gained through hands-on experience and the Erasmus program, it became the launchpad for my Master’s in Epidemiology at Imperial College London and, today, for my PhD at the University of Antwerp, focused on infectious diseases and public health.