Vera Alfama has a background in Geology and has been working as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Sciences and Tecnology, University of Cape Verde since 2004. Vera has a Bachelor of Natural Sciences (1997) and Degree in Teaching of Biology and Geology by University of Évora. In addition, Vera holds a Master in Geological Heritage and Geoconservation from University of Minho (Portugal), Specialized Studies in Volcanology and Geological Risk Assessment (University of Azores) and a PhD in Geology, speciality in Volcanology and Geological Risks from University of Azores. She also is Member of the Scientific Council as Scientific Coordinator of the Sciences of Nature, Life and Environment (2017 to present) and Director of Academic Services (2014-2015) at the University of Cape Verde. She also has experience in consulting work and research collaboration with Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in risks and environment assessment, social risks and development projects. As a consultant was involved in action-research, training, final and mid-term evaluations, developing strategies and operational plans with components of monitoring and evaluation in the areas of natural disasters, natural risks, social vulnerabilities to natural disasters, environment, governance and institutional development. Her PhD was about evaluation of Geological risks in Brava Island and their implications in Emergency Planning. She worked as Program Manager “Environmental, Climatic and Geological Risk Management” and “Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Quality” of the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development (PEDS) 2017-2021 in the National Directorate of Planning of the Ministry of Finance. She participated in the preparation of the following documents: Cape Verde's Strategic Agenda for Sustainable Development, in the part referring to the Strategy for Resilience and Climate Action, within the scope of the Cape Verde Ambitions 2030 exercise (September 2020); “Rapid Assessment of the Socio-Economic Impact of Covid19 – PCNA+ Phase 1” as coordinator of the Environment Pillar (August 2020); Strategy for Climate Resilience and Action (August 2020).