Maria Vale holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology (Marine Biology) from the University of the Azores (2003), a Master’s degree in Marine Biology and Marine Resource Management from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (2007), and a PhD in Marine Ecology from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom (2015).

She has more than fifteen years of professional experience in scientific research, project management and coordination, and the implementation of public policies in science, technology and innovation. Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong commitment to advancing research and innovation in the Azores.

Maria began her career as a research fellow at the Institute of Marine Research between 2004 and 2009, contributing to marine research projects. In 2009, she worked as an agricultural technician at the Agricultural Development Service of São Miguel Island and, between 2010 and 2011, was a research initiation fellow at the Regional Fund for Science and Technology (FRCT). From 2011 to 2015, she was awarded a doctoral fellowship by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), undertaking research in Marine Ecology at the University of the Azores and the University of Southampton.

Between 2017 and 2022, she joined the Regional Fund for Science and Technology (FRCT), where she was responsible for the coordination and management of European research and innovation (R&I) projects. Within the framework of the European Commission’s R&I programmes, she led the preparation of project proposals and the technical, administrative and financial coordination of international projects, particularly in the fields of the marine environment, maritime spatial planning and the blue economy. During this period, she also organised a wide range of regional, national and international initiatives and events dedicated to science, innovation and European cooperation.

From 2023 to 2026, she served as a Senior Officer at the Regional Directorate for Science, Innovation and Development (DRCID), overseeing regional, national and European R&I funding programmes and instruments, contributing to the implementation of public research and innovation policies, and carrying out the assessment, monitoring and follow-up of funded projects. She also organised regional, national and international initiatives and events in the fields of science, innovation and smart specialisation. Within the framework of the Azores 2030 funding programme, she worked within the Intermediate Body, contributing to the preparation of calls for proposals, the eligibility assessment and evaluation of applications, and the technical and scientific monitoring of supported operations.

Since July 2026, she has been President of the Executive Board of the Regional Fund for Science and Technology (FRCT), under the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government of the Azores.