She holds a degree in Industrial Chemistry from the Federal University of Sergipe (1969), a Master’s in Science (Microbiology) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1973), and a Ph.D. in Science (Microbiology) from the same institution (1978). She is currently a Full Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
She has expertise in Microbiology, with an emphasis on the Surface Structure of Fungi, Bacteria, and Protozoa. She also works on the evaluation of bioactive compounds, particularly with antimicrobial activity, isolated from plant extracts and microorganisms. She is a Senior Research Productivity Fellow at CNPq.