She received her Medical Doctor degree in 2008 in Cagliari, Italy, and has trained in General Surgery at the University of Cagliari and from 2013-2015 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London and also at Watford General Hospital, London, as a part of her surgical training. Her MD thesis was awarded for original research in computerised morphometry of breast cancer, and she has published several papers regarding thyroid conditions, pulmonary fibrosis and predictions of post-operative outcomes. Ms. Santa Cruz also holds a PhD in Natural Sciences and a doctorate in Forensic Sciences.