Maria Teresa Novo has extensive expertise in medical entomology, insect systematics, and vector bioecology, supported by long-standing teaching experience since 1997 and supervision at MSc and PhD levels. Her work includes the systematics and bioecology of mosquitoes, fleas and ticks, with field experience in Portugal and Macao, as well as participation in field and technical response activities following the detection of Aedes aegypti in Madeira, during the subsequent dengue outbreak, and after the detection of Aedes albopictus in Lisbon.

She is also part of the mosquitoWEB citizen science initiative, contributing to the early detection of invasive mosquito species, the updating of native species distribution data, and public awareness activities, with specific responsibility for the management and identification of citizen-submitted records.