She has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, a Master’s in Packaging from the School of Packaging at Michigan State University and a PhD in Biotechnology, with specialty in Food Science and Engineering, from the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia of Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Professor of Packaging disciplines and integrated member of the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry - CBQF/Associated Laboratory.
Research interests include mass transfer processes applied to packaging, shelf life of food and safety assessment of materials in particular biomaterials (nanocellulose) and recycled materials. She has been Coordinator of the Food Quality and Safety Center (CINATE) since 2013 and Coordinator of the Packaging Laboratory (National Reference Laboratory) since 1990. She represents Portugal in the European Network of Food Contact Materials Laboratories since 2004 and has been part of different EFSA working groups.