Prof Canhão graduated and gained her PhD and Habilitation in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, Portugal. She also holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Research from Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, USA.

She is Head of the EpiDoC Research Unit in Epidemiology and Clinical Research, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal: Furthermore, she is Full Professor of Medicine at NOVA Medical School, Invited Full Professor at the National School of Public Health and Head of the Rheumatology Unit, CHLC- Hospital Curry Cabral, Lisbon.

Prof Canhão  is board member of the Council of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, elected President of the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology, President of the EpiSaude Association and Vice-President of the Portuguese League Against Rheumatic Diseases.