João Pedro da Silva Encarnação finished his PhD in Marine Science in 2024 at the University of Algarve, merging scientific knowledge on invasive species with contributions from citizen science. He currently works as a Junior Researcher at CCMAR's Scientific Dive Center. His research topics include marine invasive species, as the Atlantic blue crab and the weakfish, tropicalization and redistribution of species in coastal areas, while improving the collaboration between academia and society with citizen science in the study and management of biological invasions in the marine environment. So far has published 10 peer-reviewed scientific articles as first author and 10 others as co-author. Has participated in several national and international projects and scientific expeditions, and contributed with photographs to 7 books. Founder and coordinator of the NEMA citizen science campaign: www.NEMAlgarve.com.