Cristina Calheiros is Environmental Engineer and holds a PhD in Biotechnology by Universidade Católica Portuguesa. She did an internship at Slater Limited-Environmental Biotechnology and Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine-UK, related to soil phytoremediation. Had a 6-year post-doctoral grant at Centre of Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry in collaboration with Aarhus University-Denmark, till 2016, related to constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment and green roofs. Afterwards had a post-doctoral grant at CIIMAR-UP, developing work on floating wetlands islands. Currently develops research at CIIMAR.

She is board member of National Green Roof Association (ANCV) and of Ordem dos Engenheiros/Order of Engineers in the North Region of Portugal (OERN). Has participated in the recently launched Green Roof Technical Guide, for project, implementation and maintenance.

Her work focus on the development of nature-based solutions, such green roofs and constructed and floating wetlands, towards sustainability of territories and as tools for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Also dedicates to phytoremediation, treatment and valorization of water and solid waste, geoethics, education for sustainability, tourism and rural development.

Collaborates with Science Faculty-UP and is Invited Professor at Environmental Sciences and Management Master at University of Saint Joseph–MacauSAR/China, being before Invited Assistant Professor at UCP. Has supervised several students in: PhD, Master, internship, graduated projects and international programs.

Has published several papers in peer reviewed journals (ISI), technical-scientific papers, book chapters, coauthor and co-editor in books, with more thatn 1000 citations.  Has more than 100 oral and poster communications in international and national conferences. Belongs to the Editorial Board of the "Circular Economy and Sustainability Journal" (Springer) and is Guest Editor in several peer reviewed journals.

In the last 5 years participated in 3 funded international projects related to education for sustainability (WISE/GOAL/PASSION) and 1 national related to ecological and integrated sanitation (ECOSAN). Has integrated several Thematic Networks such EU-COST:859/837, and recently CA17133-Implementing nature-based solutions for creating a resourceful circular city. 

She develops an active role in Science-Technology-Society communication through dissemination in short courses, outreach actions, exhibitions and multimedia channels.

She was 1st prize winner of Business Ignition Programme (UP) and finalist at COHiTEC program (programs for testing business models for technologies developed in academia). Was 1st prize winner of BES Innovation Awards 2009-Biotechnology and Agroindustry. In 2017 was selected to Water Innovation Lab Europe:Shaping the new leaders in the water sector, org. by WATERLUTION.