I completed my undergraduate degree in Marine Biology in Namibe, Angola, a coastal city whose identity is inseparable from the ocean and the resources it provides. That experience gave me a strong foundation in ecosystem science — but also a growing awareness that scientific knowledge alone is not enough. The biodiversity we depend on is under pressure, and the policies designed to protect it are not always grounded in the best available evidence. I joined the SPIBES MSc to help change that.
What draws me to this programme is its focus on the interface between science, policy and practice — the space where research findings are translated into decisions that affect real ecosystems and real communities. I want to understand how policies are created, how they are implemented, and how they can be made more effective. I also want to broaden my perspective beyond Angola, engaging with international agendas on biodiversity protection and learning from what other countries and regions are doing to manage the natural resources on which we all depend.
My ambition is to pursue a career in scientific research and policy, contributing to projects focused on the sustainable use of biodiversity — particularly marine resources. The SPIBES programme represents an opportunity to build the knowledge, the skills, and the international network I need to pursue that ambition. I hope to leave not just better informed, but better connected — and ready to take a place at the table among those who design the policies and projects that will determine the future of our planet’s biodiversity.
