Rafael has a BSc degree in Biochemistry (University of Algarve). In 2021, he began his MSc in Molecular Biology and Microbiology (University of Algarve), currently ongoing as of January 2023. He began his thesis in the MSc in October 2022, in association with MarBiotech and GreenCoLab, to optimize the processing of Raphidonema monicae biomass and evaluate the applications of the products in aquafeed. During his thesis, he joined GreenCoLab, as part of the µCellAqua project, with the goal to hydrolyze microalgal biomass.