Marta is a full-time research student at the CEI, ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa and MARETEC/LarSyS, Instituto Superior Técnico (FCT Grant: 2024.06107.BD). She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Economics from ISCTE – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (2019), followed by a master’s degree in Development Studies (2022) from the same institution. Her master's thesis, titled "What is the role of seed banks in food justice and socio-ecological transition?", delves into preserving plant genetic heritage and its correlation witth food sovereignty in Portugal. Throughout her master's program, Marta participated in the 9th World Conference on Localized Agri-Food Systems (SYAL), co-authoring a presentation on the critical role of seed banks in food security. As treasurer at the Portuguese Refugee Council, Marta was responsible for implementing food security and livelihoods for asylum seekers within the “Acolher em Tempo de Pandemia” project (PT/2021/FAMI/761), through qualitative and quantitative analysis, stakeholder engagement, community involvement, and practical solutions implementation. Marta is a Coordinator member at TROCA - Platform for Fair Trade where she conducts projects and research, disseminates information to promote fair trade and social justice, with a focus on food, agriculture, and the environment. Moreover, Marta initiated the Greening the Desert Oasis project, collaborating with an international team to tackle environmental challenges, promote agricultural sustainability, and combat desertification in the village of Tagounite, Zagora region, Morocco.