She has an MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Reading (UK) and a PhD in Agricultural Economics and Policy from the University of Modena (Italy). Her main fields of research deal with different international agricultural trade and trade policy issues and the relationship between trade, trade policy and foreign direct investment. She is the author of several articles published on peer-reviewed international journals. She has also been a consultant regarding her fields of study of the European Parliament and other institutions and agencies both national and international.