[3] Carvalho has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico of the University of Lisbon and a Ph.D. from the Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine in the United Kingdom.

Carvalho was a professor at the Instituto Superior Técnico in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, in the area of energy, environment, climate change and sustainable development.

From November 2014 until December 2015, Carvalho served as an adviser to European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Carlos Moedas.

She was a full member of the Industry, Research, and Energy Committee (ITRE) where she was elected Vice Coordinator for the EPP Group.

[8] On 8 March 2002, on International Women's Day, Carvalho was decorated with the rank of Grand Officer of the Order of Public Instruction by Jorge Sampaio.