Rita has a PhD. in Sanitary Engineering by NOVA University Lisbon and a MSc. degree in Environmental Engineering by NOVA FCT. Currently Rita is an Associate Professor at DCEA, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at NOVA FCT, where she collaborates in teaching subjects in the areas of water supply and treatment, drainage and wastewater treatment, urban systems, aquatic monitoring and laboratory techniques in the environment.

She is an elected member of the Department Council.

She carries out research at CENSE, NOVA FCT’s Center for Research on Environment and Sustainability, with a particular interest in the optimization of treatment systems, advanced wastewater treatment systems and emerging pollutants. She has coordinated and participated in several funded research projects, having also coordinated (PI) applications for Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology projects. She participated in several studies and service projects developed for public and private organisations.

Throughout her career, she paid special attention to the dissemination of results of her work, through scientific publications, participation in national and international congresses and the presentation of two patents, in an effort to contribute to the resolution of today’s societal challenges. The scientific research areas support her teaching activity insofar as the areas of knowledge coincide or intersect, building on one another, seeking harmony and coherence in the activities and functions it performs. She is a full member of the European Committee for Standardization: Brussels, BE as a specialist in the fields of wastewater treatment.