Dr. Vaz Patto is a Principal Investigator at the Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB NOVA) in Oeiras, Portugal. Here, she heads the Plant Sciences Division and directs the PlantX Lab. Her research focus on understanding the genetic and genomic basis of complex plant traits, using various statistical genetic and genomic approaches. Currently, her team is studying resistance to environmental stresses like drought, flooding, diseases and pests on legumes, particularly grass pea and common bean. Additionally, they investigate nutritional, health-promoting and taste-related legume qualities. Dr. Vaz Patto has been actively involved in the Legume Community for more than two decades, concentrating on applying plant quantitative genetics to breeding, and engaging young researchers and end-users (such as farmers, processors and consumers) in exploiting the potential of underutilized legumes. She currently serves as Vice President of the International Legume Society.