Yours is a remarkable academic and research journey that encompasses training, projects, and collaborations of institutional prestige, both nationally and internationally. Which research domains are you currently pursuing, and what roles are you currently embracing?
My research experience in the fields of stellar astrophysics and exoplanetary science is extensive. I am a specialist in asteroseismology – the study of stars through the observation of their natural oscillations – and, over the years, I have developed a significant interest in using this technique not only to characterise planetary systems but also to shed light on their dynamics and evolution. In 2018, I was awarded a Marie Curie Action by the European Commission to study transiting giant planets orbiting evolved stars. The successful completion of this project proved to be instrumental in securing scientific coordination roles in the PLATO and Ariel missions of the European Space Agency (ESA). More recently, driven by the stellar census of the Milky Way carried out by ESA’s Gaia mission, I have developed a special interest in the field of galactic archaeology – the study of the Milky Way’s evolutionary history. Since then, I have played a significant role in using asteroseismology of red giant stars to investigate the formation history of the galaxy’s stellar populations. I should also mention that, since 2021, I have coordinated the Stellar Astrophysics Research Group at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA), which currently includes a fantastic multidisciplinary team of 22 PhD researchers and 11 doctoral students, based across IA's research hubs in Porto, Lisbon, and Coimbra. The group is among the largest and most productive nationally in the fields of Astrophysics and Space Sciences. Its long-term strategy involves strong engagement in the scientific definition and exploitation of missions and instruments from ESA and the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

You have studied asteroseismology, a branch of astrophysics that has led to significant advances in our understanding of the physics of stellar interiors. In your opinion, what makes asteroseismology such a powerful tool for decoding the cosmos, and how is it complemented by other approaches in astrophysics?
Asteroseismology has brought about major advances in our understanding of stellar structure and evolution. Space missions such as CoRoT (CNES/ESA) and Kepler/K2 (NASA) have provided us with high-precision photometry, enabling the detailed study of solar-like and red giant stars, which exhibit solar-type oscillations excited by convective movements near their surface. NASA’s ongoing TESS mission, alongside the upcoming PLATO (ESA) and Nancy Grace Roman (NASA) space telescopes, are set to revolutionise this field. These missions are expected to increase the number of stars with solar-like oscillation measurements to several millions. These oscillations serve as unique probes of a star’s deepest layers (they allow us to “see” inside a star, much like an echogram), enabling us to infer its internal structure and physical conditions, while also allowing for unparalleled precision in estimating global stellar properties (e.g. mass and age). Consequently, asteroseismology is poised to have a profound impact on modern astrophysics, particularly in the fields of exoplanetary science and galactic archaeology, both of which rely heavily on precise stellar characterisation. In his now-classic book The Internal Constitution of the Stars (1926), Sir Arthur Eddington lamented: “What appliance can pierce through the outer layers of a star and test the conditions within?” Nearly a century later, we now know the answer: Asteroseismology.

Regarding your leadership roles in NASA (TESS) and ESA (PLATO and Ariel) missions to discover, study, and analyse exoplanets and their atmospheres, there is surely much anticipation surrounding future insights into the Universe. What role do you play – or have played – in these consortia? And how have these roles impacted your career?
I currently hold (or have held) scientific coordination roles in the PLATO (ESA), Ariel (ESA), and TESS (NASA) space missions. Although primarily focused on the formation and evolution of planetary systems, these missions also have a strong stellar astrophysics component, which is where my contribution is concentrated. Since 2018, I have led a working group within the PLATO mission’s Data Centre, overseeing the implementation of a module (an algorithm operating a multidimensional grid of stellar models) in the Stellar Analysis System pipeline. My involvement spans the Development Phase, set to culminate with the satellite’s launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, and will continue through the Scientific Operations Phase (+4.25 years post-launch) and the Post-Operations Phase (+7.25 years post-launch). Additionally, since 2019, I have led a working group within Ariel’s science consortium, responsible for determining the global properties (radii, masses, and ages) of the stars that will be observed by the mission. We expect to deliver a complete version of Ariel’s science pipeline by the fourth quarter of 2025. I had previously played a pivotal role in preparing the TESS mission, leading the work that enabled predictions regarding its asteroseismic potential, which informed the definition of its instrumental performance requirements. These responsibilities have greatly strengthened my scientific profile, showcasing leadership and international collaboration skills. Beyond enhancing my professional visibility, they have opened doors to strategic decision-making processes and provided access to influential networks in the international astronomical community.

Regarding the fascinating intricacies of galactic archaeology. Which recent discoveries would you highlight as the most significant and exciting in this field? Is there any particular line of investigation you are currently pursuing that might bring us closer to unveiling the origin of the Milky Way?
Unravelling the evolutionary history of the Milky Way is a longstanding challenge in modern astrophysics. Our galaxy is a complex puzzle, comprising several stellar populations such as the disc, galactic bulge, bar, and halo. These populations exhibit distinct kinematic and chemical properties, revealing specific epochs of formation and the different processes that shaped their evolution. The goal of galactic archaeology is to reconstruct this evolutionary history based on the present-day chemo-kinematics of the stars in these populations. As in any archaeological undertaking, the ability to date past events is paramount. Asteroseismology enables the measurement of stellar ages with unprecedented precision and accuracy, adding a crucial dimension to population studies of the galaxy. This potential was recently realised with the dating of the Milky Way’s largest merger event, with a dwarf galaxy named Gaia-Enceladus, which occurred 11.6 billion years ago and profoundly shaped our galaxy’s destiny. I am currently collaborating on the development of the first high-resolution chrono-chemo-kinematic map of the Milky Way disc (the disc being the galaxy’s main structural component and therefore central to galactic archaeology). This map will allow us to address key questions such as: (i) the origin of the disc’s two chemically distinct populations, (ii) the dynamic processes leading to its warping, and (iii) the efficiency of the radial migration of its stars. To this end, I use red giant stars to probe the disc across distances of several thousand light-years, with stellar ages derived from TESS mission photometry. I am also working with my students to develop AI tools for the automatic classification of stellar populations – a necessary step in producing such a multidimensional map.

You lead an international team that recently made a remarkable discovery: the detection of the smallest stellar “quakes” ever recorded. What new perspectives does this discovery offer on the structure and evolution of stars, and what impact might it have on stellar astrophysics?
The Sun and other solar-like stars vibrate gently due to sound waves trapped within their interiors, excited by convective movements beneath their surfaces. These sound waves do not travel through space, but they do manifest as surface oscillations with amplitudes of just a few tens of centimetres per second. In particular, stars smaller and cooler than the Sun, with relatively weaker convective flows, struggle to excite oscillations strong enough to be detectable from Earth. In this study, we reported the detection of solar-type oscillations in the orange dwarf star Epsilon Indi (in the southern celestial hemisphere’s Indus constellation), using the ESPRESSO spectrograph mounted on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at ESO’s observatory in Chile. This made Epsilon Indi simultaneously the smallest and coolest dwarf star with confirmed solar-like oscillations to date. Specifically, the maximum amplitude of the detected oscillations was just 2.6 centimetres per second – a remarkable technological feat! This study carries deep implications for stellar astrophysics, particularly considering that orange dwarfs are among the most common and long-lived stars in the Universe. For instance, we now hope to gain new insights into the mass-radius relationship of dwarf stars, which remains a contentious issue due to a longstanding mismatch between theoretical models and empirical observations (e.g., via interferometry). The ability to conduct asteroseismology on dwarf stars may therefore help us identify shortcomings in current stellar evolution models. With this in mind, I am currently leading an observational campaign using ESPRESSO to study the brightest orange dwarfs in the southern sky, securing nearly 130 hours of dedicated observations on the VLT.

In your opinion, are we increasingly closer to making new discoveries about the diversity and habitability of other planets, or are we only just beginning – requiring cautious expectations?
Following on from the previous question, I believe it is relevant to note that due to their stability and longevity, orange dwarfs and their planetary systems are prime targets in the search for habitable worlds and extraterrestrial life. Thus, asteroseismology could potentially be applied in the detailed characterisation of orange dwarfs and their habitable planets. In particular, precise stellar ages obtained via asteroseismology will be a valuable resource, as the ages of bright stars near the Sun will play a crucial role in interpreting biosignatures on exoplanets observed through direct imaging. On the subject of life in the galaxy, I would like to reference an important study I conducted in 2015, where we reported the discovery of a planetary system around Kepler-444 using data from the Kepler space telescope. Kepler-444 is a Sun-like, metal-poor star (meaning it contains fewer elements heavier than helium), belonging to an ancient subpopulation of the galactic disc, and it hosts a compact system of five terrestrial planets (with sizes ranging from Mercury to Venus). We used asteroseismology to determine a precise age of 11.2 billion years for Kepler-444, making it the oldest known system with terrestrial planets. Time magazine even described the system as a witness to the “dawn of the galaxy”. We demonstrated that Earth-sized rocky planets have been forming for most of the Universe’s 13.8-billion-year history (noting that the metals required for planet formation were scarcer in earlier cosmic epochs), leaving open the possibility of ancient life existing in the galaxy.

We have witnessed extraordinary advances in astrophysics, enabling new horizons of knowledge – and curiosity. What excites you most about the new frontiers of space research? Which major cosmic mysteries do you believe we might resolve in the near futured?
We are living in an exciting era where research in astrophysics and space sciences enables us to address fundamental questions using unprecedented tools. In cosmology, data from the James Webb Space Telescope are reshaping our understanding of early galaxy formation, challenging established models and raising new hypotheses about the early Universe’s evolution. The detection and characterisation of exoplanets – especially through transit spectroscopy – are bringing us closer to identifying biosignatures, fuelling the real possibility of finding life-supporting environments beyond Earth. Meanwhile, persistent discrepancies in the determination of the Hubble constant may point to new physics, compelling us to reassess foundational aspects of the standard cosmological model. The study of dark matter and dark energy remains one of the greatest challenges: projects like Euclid and the Vera Rubin Observatory may shed light on the nature of these invisible components that dominate the Universe. As instrumentation and analytical methods evolve, we are likely to make significant progress in characterising exoplanetary atmospheres, identifying possible chemical markers of habitability. In parallel, precision cosmology may help clarify current observational tensions – such as the Hubble constant discrepancy – and offer new insights into the nature of dark matter and energy. Even in the absence of definitive answers, the refinement of models and accumulation of high-quality data will, in themselves, be crucial steps toward deepening our understanding of the cosmos.

Inspiring and engaging the general public is essential to foster interest and enthusiasm for space science. In this respect, your commitment and active role in science communication stands out. Do you consider knowledge transfer a priority? What strategies do you believe are most effective in making complex concepts accessible?
I once heard that the cycle of science is only truly complete when the knowledge generated is shared with society. I couldn’t agree more. Science should not remain confined to academic circles; it must reach the public – especially in fields as fascinating and captivating as astrophysics and space sciences. Sharing what we discover – and just as importantly, how we reach those discoveries – is essential to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper connection with the Universe we inhabit. To make complex concepts accessible, I believe the most effective strategies involve using clear language, avoiding jargon whenever possible, and drawing on everyday analogies. Additionally, the use of visuals, compelling narratives, and multimedia formats can be powerful in sparking interest and aiding comprehension. More than simply simplifying, it’s about contextualising and giving meaning. When we show why a particular phenomenon is relevant or surprising, we build bridges between scientific knowledge and human experience – and that’s where true enthusiasm is born. This commitment is even more important when we think of younger generations. When we communicate science to children, we are not just informing – we are planting seeds, nurturing a fascination with discovery, and contributing to a more curious, critical, and prepared society for the challenges of the future.

You can find more information on the professor and researcher here.