Fátima Abrantes is a paleoceanographer with scientific interests focused on the challenges posed by paleoclimate reconstructions and in promoting the need of a full integration between modern and past-ocean as well as the multidisciplinary approach that this implies. The joining of the MedCLIVAR SSC was the fulfill of a necessary link also to climatologists in order to better understand and relate atmospheric processes driving modern and past climate signals. Initiated paleoceanography / paleoclimatology research in Portugal, has participated in the education of more than 30 young researchers, and launched new research areas at the national level. Authored >150 ISI scientific papers with >4,000 citations and as also co-edited a couple of books As been the leader of the Portuguese participation in several European and International projects and member of scientific and executive committees such as IMAGES, PAGES, IODP, a member of ESF's LESC core and standing committees, and has also been an associate editor for journals such as Progress in Oceanography.