Graduated and received a PhD from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, she is Full Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences end Medicines and Investigator at the Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa). She studied and worked at the University of Cincinnati (1992-95) and the University of Minnesota (1995-99), USA.

Her research combines cellular and molecular technologies, experimental models of disease (metabolic, degenerative, cancer) and patient-derived samples, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities, facilitating laboratory-to-patient translation and health promotion. She developed modulators of cell death, protected by patents and explored by spin-offs, currently in phase 3 clinical trials. She obtained competitive national and international funding. She has editorial roles in international journals (Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, executive editor; Hepatology, associate editor; Journal of Hepatology, editorial board).