Maria João Verdasca is a biologist with a PhD in Biodiversity, Genetics, and Evolution, and a Master’s in Conservation Biology. Her career has focused on science education and management, scientific outreach, and biodiversity research. Passionate about experimental science education, she coordinated the School Program at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência and led Lab in a Box, an educational project that brought hands-on scientific activities into classrooms to foster critical thinking and curiosity in children. She currently works as a Science Manager at Instituto Superior Técnico & INESC-ID, where she oversees the Engenharia para Todos project, which promotes inclusive access to science and technology.