Maria Paola Tomasino (MPT) is responsible for Data Stewardship and Open Science at CIIMAR-UP, supporting researchers in handling their data according to FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and Open Science principles. MPT is involved in national and international infrastructures for best practices in Data Management (e.g. GDI, Biodata, ELIXIR). Her research interests focus on microbial diversity in natural and contaminated ecosystems. She is dedicated to teaching and mentoring students, encouraging outreach activities, and promoting collaboration between scientists and the general public. MPT has 22 peer-reviewed publications, 2 book chapters, and 1 book, she is a co-inventor of 1 patent.