Inês is a PhD student at MARE–Madeira and the University of Madeira, funded by an ARDITI doctoral fellowship. Her work explores Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Portugal and Macaronesia, focusing on how different protection levels shape ecological and socio-environmental outcomes. She aims to assess MPA effectiveness by comparing areas under different legislations and characterizing their biodiversity, ecological communities, human pressures, and associated ecosystem services. Her project also develops practical outputs to support Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and improve communication and understanding of MPAs among stakeholders and the public. Inês previously worked in spatial ecology, biotelemetry, and biodiversity assessment, and holds an MSc in Marine Biology from the University of Algarve and a BSc in Biology from the University of Coimbra.