She holds a degree in Medicine from the Federal University of Pelotas 1977, a Master’s degree in Pulmonology from the University of Southampton 1983, and a PhD in Medicine Pulmonology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul 1992. She is a Research Fellow of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development CNPq, level 1A, Full Professor retired in the area of Pulmonology/Internal Medicine at the Federal University of Pelotas, permanent professor in the Graduate Program in Epidemiology at UFPel, and visiting professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. She is the coordinator of the PLATINO project Latin American Thoracic Association. Member of the Executive Committee of the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease BOLD study Portland, USA, and ad hoc reviewer for several national and international journals. She was a member of the Health Advisory Committee of FAPERGS from 2013 to 2017. Coordinator of the MECOR course Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical and Operations Research – from ALAT, Asociación Latinoamericana del Tórax from 2012 to 2017. Associate Editor of the journal
Archivos de Bronconeumología. Recipient of the “Singular Contribution Award” from the RS Society of Pulmonology in 2011. Awarded the “Pesquisador Gaúcho” Prize in the Health area by FAPERGS in 2013. Ranked among the top 100 most cited authors on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2015:10 667–676. Included in the Clarivate/Web of Science Highly Cited Researchers List in 2018. Recipient of the 2021 “Women Who Make a Difference” Award, granted by the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Consulate General in Porto Alegre. Honored with a plaque from the Municipality of Pelotas, in association with the Consulate, in recognition of her work, particularly in the field of Epidemiology 2021. Listed among the world’s top 2% most influential researchers, according to Stanford University 2021. Elected Full Member of the Academy of Medicine of Rio Grande do Sul in 2018. Awarded the title of Emeritus Professor at UFPel in 2019. Elected Honorary Member of the Brazilian Society of Pulmonology and Phthisiology SBPT in 2024. Member of the FAPERGS Health Sciences Advisory Committee, from 2013 to March 31, 2015. Member of the Public Health and Nutrition Advisory Committee CA-SN of CNPq, from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.
She has experience in the field of Medicine, with an emphasis on Pulmonology and Epidemiology. Her main areas of work are adult health and maternal and child health, asthma, COPD, lung function, and smoking. She is an active professor in the Graduate Program in Epidemiology PPGE, with authorization from UFPel, to carry out her activities.
