Holds a Bachelor's degree in Medicine from Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre - UFCSPA (1983); Master of Medicine: Gastroenterology from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (1989); Doctorate in Medicine: Hepatology by the UFCSPA (1998); and Full Professor: Gastroenterology by the UFCSPA (2005). Currently is Adjunct Professor of Gastroenterology and Post Graduation Program: Hepatology of the UFCSPA. In the last 20 years, has focused her scientific interests on the topics related to viral hepatitis; coinfection HIV-HCV; portal hypertension, and more recently NAFLD. Also trained many postgraduate students, published numerous journal papers and book chapters, edited/reviewed for many academic journals, and coordinated/participated in several national and international projects.