Technician at João Miguel dos Santos Simões Thematic Network for the Study of Azulejos and Ceramics (RTEACJMSS) from March 2009 to September 2014, during which she obtained a technical research scholarship (BTI) with the National Azulejo Museum and ARTIS-IHA/FLUL as the host institutions.  

Ana Rato began her studies in pottery at the António Arroio high school and graduated as a professional potter in 1987. She continued her studies in the same field with a three-year specialization course in tile conservation and restoration at the National Azulejo Museum, started in 1989.