I hold degrees in Nutrition (Licenciatura) and Public Health (MSc), both from the University of Porto, and a PhD in Epidemiology and Population Health from LSHTM.

My PhD looked at adverse mental health outcomes and quality of life in breast cancer survivors in the UK. These studies were supported by an MRC Industrial CASE PhD Scholarship in Epidemiology, jointly funded by the Medical Research Council and by the Clinical Practice Research Datalink at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Prior to my doctoral studies, my research included an international study of cancer survival at LSHTM, as well as research into the determinants of gastric and oesophageal cancers, and secular trends of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in Portugal.