Graduated from UFMG in Architecture and Urban Planning, 1988; specialized in Territorial and Urban Planning at PUC-MG and University of Bologna, Italy, 1990; earned Master's in Geography from UFMG, 1993; PhD in Geography (GIS) from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 2002. Served as Full Professor at UFMG's Department of Urban Planning and coordinated the Geoprocessing Laboratory. Expertise includes Urban Planning, Geosciences, GIS, Cartography, and Cultural Landscape simulation, earning her respect in these fields.