Degree in Biochemistry, Applied Biochemistry at FCUP and ICBAS in 1994. Joined the 2nd PGDBM (Gulbenkian Doctoral Program in Biology and Medicine) in September 1994 and attended the first curricular year of the Doctoral Program until September 1995. In November 1995 went to The Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, in Munich, Germany, to do part of the experimental work for the PhD thesis, under the supervision of Doctor Thomas R. Tölle. Returned to Portugal in June 1997 to continue the PhD experimental work at the Institute of Histology and Embryology Abel Salazar (now Department of Experimental Biology) at FMUP, under the supervision of Professor José Manuel Castro Lopes. During the remaining period of work for the PhD went to Munich for short visits (1-2 months) to finish ongoing work. Defended her PhD in the mechanisms of chronic pain in July 2001, with first authorship in 6 peer-reviewed published papers. Joined the FMUP faculty as an assistant professor in October 2001. Since then has been engaged in pre- and post-graduate teaching at full time and coordination of courses, supervision of undergraduate, master and PhD students, coordination of classes at different levels and co-coordination of scientific projects. Is co-author in numerous papers in the field of pain research and participated several times as jury in the Grünenthal Pain Prize, and in master and undergraduate theses defenses.