Cristina Bárbara is a pulmonologist that currently holds the position of invited associate professor with aggregation at Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMUL). She coordinates the Group for Non-Communicable Diseases at the Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB) within FMUL. Additionally, since 2009 she has the role of director of the Thorax Department at Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte recently renamed as Unidade Local de Saúde de Santa Maria. In a broader capacity, Cristina Bárbara also serves as the director of the National Program for Respiratory Diseases at the Directorate-General of Health, since 2012. Her research interests are in the field of many Chronic Respiratory Diseases such as COPD, Asthma, Sleep Apnoea Syndrome and Lung cancer, approached from an encompassing environmental perspective. Furthermore, she is interested in exploring innovative models for a better integration of care between primary health care and secondary health care through digital means. Cristina Bárbara is actively involved in leveraging artificial intelligence for the analysis of information stored in public administration databases. This approach aims to assist decision-makers in formulating optimal responses to chronic and emerging diseases. Additionally, she seeks to enhance the adaptability of intervention programs in public health and improve the overall responsiveness of health systems for future challenges. She is integrated on national and international investigational networks such as, Innesc Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias, BOLD Study Collaborative Network, Integrated care pathways for airway diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs). Cristina Bárbara published 116 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Supervised 6 PhD thesis(es) and 7 MSc dissertation(s). Has received 22 awards and/or honors, some of which in collaboration with the new generation of scientists.