About Universidade de São Paulo

Expert in Biological Sciences and Evolutionary Studies

Alexandre Leonetti is a Professor at the School of Economics, Administration and Accounting of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo. He holds dual bachelor's degrees in Business Administration from Universidade Paulista (2000) and Mathematics Applied to Business from Universidade de São Paulo (2008), followed by a Master's in Organizational Administration (2009) and a PhD in Sciences (2012) from Universidade de São Paulo, which included a six-month international research internship at the University of Oxford. His expertise spans quantitative methods for decision-making, including multivariate data analysis, non-parametric statistics, game theory, multicriteria decision analysis, social choice theory, and sustainability indicators. As a researcher at the Decision Sciences Research Group (INTEGRA), he focuses on developing and applying mathematical models to support complex organizational decision-making processes.

Amancio Cold is an Associate Professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) with extensive expertise in astronomy, physics, and education. He completed his academic training at USP, earning his undergraduate degree in Physics followed by Master's, PhD and Associate Professor titles from the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences (IAG/USP). His international experience includes a postdoctoral position at the Royal Greenwich Observatory and University of Cambridge, as well as visiting researcher roles at prestigious institutions like the European Southern Observatory, INAOE, and Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris. As Coordinator of the Professional Master's Degree in Astronomy Teaching at IAG/USP, he has made significant contributions to astronomy education, notably co-authoring the Jabuti Award-winning book "Astronomia: uma visão do Universo." His research spans extragalactic astronomy, cosmology, astrobiology, and the intersection of science, technology and society, demonstrating his commitment to both research excellence and educational advancement

José Otávio Catafesto de Souza is a distinguished anthropologist and ethnoarchaeologist at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), where he completed his academic journey with a degree in history (1982), followed by master's (1987) and doctorate (1999) in social anthropology. As coordinator of the Laboratory of Archaeology and Ethnology (LAE), he leads significant research initiatives focusing on Mbyá-Guarani Territoriality, Amerindian and Quilombola Ethnoarchaeology. His work is guided by Airton Krenak's principle of "Doing local, thinking global," as he advocates for indigenous rights and challenges academic productivism in social sciences. His research has contributed significantly to understanding Guarani migrations and territorial rights, particularly through his studies of Mbyá-Guarani perceptivism and ontocosmoecology. Beyond academia, he actively engages in extension projects supporting Amerindian and quilombola communities in land regularization processes and the implementation of health, sustainability, and cultural heritage policies.

Emanuele Colombo is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Catholic Studies at DePaul University in Chicago, with an affiliated position in the Department of History. His academic journey began in Italy, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Classics from the University of Milan, followed by a PhD in the history of Christianity from the Universities of Milan and Padua. His research expertise focuses on early modern religious history, particularly Jesuit studies, theology, politics, and Christian-Muslim encounters. As an executive editor of the Journal of Jesuit Studies and board member of the Jesuit Studies series (Brill), he has significantly contributed to the field through three authored books and numerous scholarly articles. His current research includes a biography of a 17th-century Muslim prince from Fez who became a Jesuit. His teaching portfolio includes courses on Catholicism, Catholic-Muslim relationships, and study abroad programs in Rome and Florence, making complex historical and religious concepts accessible to diverse student audiences.

Elysandra Figueredo Cypriano has built an impressive career bridging astronomical research and education innovation. After completing her undergraduate degree in Physics from Universidade Estadual Paulista, she earned her Master's, PhD, and completed post-doctoral research at the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences of the University of São Paulo, followed by additional post-doctoral work at The Open University in the UK. Her research initially focused on high-mass star formation and galactic structure, conducting studies at prestigious international facilities including Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, SOAR Telescope, and Japan's ISAS. Her excellence in science was recognized through the L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" award from the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. Currently, as a professor at IAG/USP, she leads innovative projects in astronomy education, specializing in open educational resources (REA) and massive open online courses (MOOCs), while also coordinating distance learning programs for the Bachelor's degree in Science and continuing education for astronomy teachers.

A distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Systems at ICMC-USP since 2005, she brings extensive academic credentials including a Bachelor's in Computer Science from UEL (1995), followed by Master's (1998) and PhD (2004) degrees in Computer Science and Computational Mathematics from ICMC-USP. Her international experience includes valuable research stays at Georgia Institute of Technology (2002) and the University of Florida (2003). As founder and coordinator of the Laboratory of Computing Applied to Education and Advanced Social Technology (CAEd), she leads innovative research in educational technology. Her academic leadership extends to coordinating the Bachelor's program in Information Systems and previously heading the Professional Master's Program in Mathematics, Statistics and Computing Applied to Industry (MECAI). Her research portfolio spans three main areas: Computing Applied to Education, focusing on Open Educational Resources and Educational Data Mining; Software Engineering, particularly in quality, testing, and accessibility; and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Her work has significantly contributed to advancing educational technology and software engineering practices in Brazil.

Eduardo Santos Neumann is a prominent historian and professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (PPGHIS/UFRGS), where he teaches in both the History Department and the Postgraduate Program. His academic credentials include a master's degree from PPGHIS (UFRGS), enhanced by research conducted in Spain through an Institute for Ibero-American Cooperation scholarship (1994), and a PhD in Social History from UFRJ (2005), which included archival research in the Iberian Peninsula. His expertise was further developed through postdoctoral studies at the University of Alcala, Spain (2015). As UFRGS's representative on the "Historia, Regiones y Fronteras" Committee of AUGM, he has made significant contributions to the field of colonial Latin American history, particularly focusing on indigenous literacy and writing practices in the Rio de la Plata region. His research specifically examines the impact of literacy in Jesuit-Guarani reductions and indigenous appropriation of writing, with his recent work exploring the Guaraní people's written responses to the 1750 Treaty of Madrid. His scholarly contributions include numerous publications in national and international journals, focusing on the social history of writing, Spanish American history, and indigenous history in colonial contexts

Draylson Micael de Souza is a distinguished computer scientist whose academic journey has been closely tied to the University of São Paulo (ICMC/USP), where he completed his Bachelor's in Computer Science (Information Systems), followed by both Master's and PhD degrees in Computer Science and Computational Mathematics. His expertise was further enhanced through a sandwich internship at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, during his doctoral studies. His research and teaching focus primarily on Software Engineering, with particular emphasis on computer science education, programming fundamentals, and software testing. As an instructor on Coursera, he contributes to USP's online education initiatives, particularly in courses related to computer programming and software testing, helping to make quality computer science education more accessible to Portuguese-speaking learners

Douglas Galante is a distinguished researcher who combines expertise in molecular sciences and astronomy to advance the field of astrobiology. As a researcher at the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory and associate researcher at the Astrobiology Research Center at USP, he coordinates the TGM beamline and leads the Carnaúba group at the Brazilian particle accelerator Sirius. His academic journey includes a degree in Molecular Sciences and both a PhD and post-doctorate in Astronomy from the University of São Paulo. As one of Brazil's pioneering researchers in astrobiology, he focuses on studying simulated planetary environments and terrestrial analogues to understand how biological, chemical, and geological systems behave under extreme conditions. His research methodology combines analytical and spectroscopic techniques with theoretical work and field research. Beyond his scientific work, Galante is also an adventurous spirit, holding a pilot's license and training in skydiving and climbing.

Carlos Page is a renowned researcher and professor whose expertise spans architecture, colonial history, and Jesuit studies. After graduating from the Catholic University of Córdoba's Faculty of Architecture in 1985, he earned his PhD in History from the University of Salvador in 2005. His academic career includes significant positions as an Independent Researcher at CONICET (National Council for Scientific and Technical Research) and leadership of the "Former Jesuits in Ibero-America" program at CIECS. His international recognition is evidenced by fellowships from the Carolina Foundation of Spain and the Spanish Ministry of Culture, along with research positions at CNR Italy. As founding editor of the scientific journal IHS Former Jesuits in Iberoamerica and member of the Scientific Council of the Société Internationale d´Estudes Jésuites in Paris, he has published over 300 articles and 40 books on Jesuit history, colonial architecture, and cultural heritage. His significant contribution includes authoring the successful UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the University Block and Jesuit estancias of Córdoba, and his work has been recognized internationally, including a special edition of his book presented to Pope Francis by the Paraguayan government.

Carlos Henrique Gonçalves Conceição Junior is a historian at the University of São Paulo specializing in the Jesuit missions of colonial South America. His course "Jesuit missions in the Guarani territories: history" examines the remarkable period from 1609 to 1800, when these missions flourished across territories that now span Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. His research explores how approximately 100,000 Guarani lived across thirty mission towns spanning 150,000 square miles, creating a unique social and cultural space where indigenous traditions merged with colonial structures

Augusto Damineli Neto is a Full Professor at the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences (IAG) of the University of São Paulo, with an impressive academic trajectory that began with his Physics degree from USP, followed by Master's, PhD, and Associate Professor titles from the same institution, and post-doctoral work at IAS/CNR in Italy. His leadership in astronomy is evidenced by his roles as president of the Brazilian Astronomy Society, member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the SOAR Telescope, Project Scientist at the Gemini Telescopes, and his service as both Deputy Head and Head of the Astronomy Department at IAG/USP. His research focuses on massive stars and astrobiology, particularly life in cosmic contexts. He has made significant contributions to scientific outreach, notably coordinating the "Year of Astronomy in Brazil" in 2009, and serves as a reviewer for prestigious publications including The Astronomical Journal, The Astrophysical Journal, MNRAAS, and A&A.

Arthur Vilas Boas is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of São Paulo who specializes in entrepreneurship, venture capital, and education. As vice-coordinator of Cosmos - InovaUSP and former leader of the University of São Paulo Entrepreneurship Society (NEU), he has supported hundreds of startups and entrepreneurial students over the past decade. His research focuses on the role of universities in entrepreneurship ecosystems, particularly examining how academic institutions can foster startup creation and development

Attila Iamarino is a distinguished researcher and educator at the University of São Paulo, where he completed his post-doctoral studies focusing on virology and emerging diseases. His expertise encompasses the study of viral evolution, epidemiology, and public health implications of emerging diseases. As an instructor of the course "Understanding Zika and Emerging Diseases," he has made significant contributions to public understanding of viral diseases and their transmission patterns. His research work has been particularly influential in understanding the molecular evolution of viruses, especially the Zika virus, contributing to groundbreaking studies on its emergence and spread. His ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to the public has made him a respected voice in science education, particularly in explaining viral diseases and their impact on public health.

Arthur Henry Franco Barcelos is a distinguished professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), where he serves in both the Archaeology Course and the Postgraduate Program in Geography (PPGEO-FURG). His academic journey includes a bachelor's and teaching degree in History from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (1995, 2000), followed by a master's and PhD in History from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (1997, 2005), enhanced by a sandwich internship at the Complutense University of Madrid. As Coordinator of the HECATEU Laboratory for American History and Cartography, he specializes in Space, Territories, and Urbanism. His research expertise encompasses History of America, Platina Region History, Historical Heritage, Jesuit Missions, Geohistory, Historical Cartography, and Material Culture, with particular emphasis on evangelization in Colonial America and Historical Archaeology.

Aracele Garcia de Oliveira Fassbinder serves as a tenured professor at IFSULDEMINAS Campus Muzambinho while pursuing her PhD in Computer Science and Computational Mathematics at the University of São Paulo (USP). Her significant contribution to educational technology is evident through her role as the founder and leader of the Laboratory of Software Technologies and Computing Applied to Education (LabSoft/IFSULDEMINAS), where she focuses on integrating technology into educational practices. Her work bridges the gap between computer science and education, developing innovative approaches to technology-enhanced learning. As an academic, she combines her teaching responsibilities with research in educational technology, working to advance the field of computer science education through practical applications and research-based methodologies.

André Leme Fleury is a distinguished Professor at the University of São Paulo, holding dual appointments in Production Engineering at Poli and Design at FAU. His academic credentials include a complete educational journey from bachelor's through PhD in Production Engineering from USP, complemented by research experience at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on startup creation, product and service development, integrating innovative methodologies such as technology roadmapping, design thinking, and lean startup approaches. He has published extensively in prestigious journals, with notable works on technology roadmapping, entrepreneurial competencies, and design thinking applications

Amelia dos Santos is a multifaceted academic professional who holds a Bachelor's and Licentiate degree in Biological Sciences, followed by both Master's and Doctoral degrees in Sciences with a specialization in Ecology from the Institute of Biosciences at the University of São Paulo. Her extensive teaching experience spans all educational levels, from elementary to higher education, including distance learning platforms. Her expertise encompasses diverse areas including General Ecology, Terrestrial Ecology, Urban Ecology, Limnology, Public Health, Environmental Education, and Science Teaching. She has made significant contributions as the former Coordinator of the Biological Sciences Course and currently serves as an Educator in the blended Bachelor of Sciences program at the University of São Paulo in collaboration with UNIVESP, where she integrates ecological principles with public health and environmental education while focusing on the intersection of ecology, education, and health sciences.

Alan Barzilay is an instructor at the University of São Paulo's Institute of Mathematics and Statistics (IME-USP), where he co-developed the course "Neural Processing of Natural Language in Portuguese I" with Professor Marcelo Finger. This intermediate-level course teaches students to program in Python for natural language processing tasks, with support from C4AI – USP-IBM-Fapesp Center for Artificial Intelligence and Google. The curriculum spans six comprehensive modules covering neural networks, natural language processing, supervised learning, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The course is designed for students with basic Python programming knowledge and focuses on practical applications such as text classification, sentiment analysis, and basic translations. Initially offered on Coursera, the course has been made more accessible by being released on YouTube with certification options for completed activities.