PhD in Health Psychology from Leiden University, the Netherlands


Registered member of the Portuguese Psychologists’ Association, with a degree in Psychology from ISPA – University Institute (2005), specialising in Clinical Psychology; a postgraduate qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology from ISPA (2006); a Master’s Degree in Health Psychology from ISPA (2008); and a PhD in Health Psychology from Leiden University, the Netherlands (2015).

Marie Curie Research Fellow in health behaviour change at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London, United Kingdom.

Invited lecturer at ISPA – University Institute, collaborator at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Performance Studies, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, and at the Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), NOVA Medical School.


Author of dozens of scientific papers published in leading international journals in the field, including Nature Human Behaviour, and contributor to several international research projects funded by the European Commission (H2020) and the Wellcome Trust. Member of the Executive Committee of the European Health Psychology Society, regularly presenting research at international conferences and serving on several international expert committees, including the World Health Organization’s mActive initiative.


Research focuses on:

  • The development, implementation and evaluation of health behaviour change interventions, using systematic frameworks such as the Behaviour Change Wheel, particularly in the field of physical activity and, more recently, interventions supported by digital tools;

  • Understanding the motivational and self-regulatory processes that influence health behaviour change;

  • Developing methods to support effective research and intervention in health behaviour change.


Extensive experience as a consultant and trainer in treatment adherence, chronic disease management, health behaviour change and motivational communication, including motivational interviewing.