Salzano is emeritus professor, Genetics Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He obtained his PhD at the University of São Paulo and has done postgraduate work at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. His career at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul included all levels up to full professorship and important administrative positions. His honours include: three National Prizes; inclusion in the National Order of Scientific Merit, Great Cross Class, Brazil; Ibero-American Society of Human Genetics and Human Biology Association Prizes (both from the USA); and Honorary Citizenship, Porto Alegre. He is a member of the Brazilian, Chilean, Latin American and US academies of science, Doctor Honoris Causa, Universities of Toulouse and Costa Rica, and served in the boards of several Brazilian, Latin American, and international scientific societies.

De Mello obtained his BSc in biochemistry in 1968, MD in 1972, MSc in biophysics in 1973 and PhD in 1980. He is professor of biophysics at the Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho since 1993 and head of the Laboratory of Neurochemistry since 1982. He was previously: Fogarty visiting scientist at the National Institutes of Health from 1973-76; assistant professor, vice director, and director at the Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho between 1978-97; research associate professor at Northwestern University between 1984-86; and Guggenheim fellow in 1984. He was awarded the Gustavo Lessa Award from the Brazilian-American Institute in 1982. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and the Latin American Academy of Sciences. In April 2015 he became Emeritus Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Jacob began research in Brazil in quasi-free scattering of protons in light nuclei, a field in which his scientific contribution has gained internatl. recognition. He also did research in Quantum Electrodynamics: the electron muon mass ratio. He held vis. positions at Heidelberg, Maryland, Trieste. In acad. and sci. administration he has taken office successively in the positions of dean of research, dean of planning, vice-rector and rector, all at the Federal U. of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), becoming president of the Brazilian National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Recently, he has done work in science policy, international co-operation, which was started at Münster and resulted in several publications. He has received a number of awards from Brazil, Germany and France. He lately served as an advisory council member for the Brazilian Academy of Sciences.

Artaxo is professor of environmental physics at the Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil. He obtained his MSc and PhD in physics also at USP. He has previously worked at NASA, Harvard University (USA), Antwerp, Stockholm and Lund Universities. His main interest is in global climate change with a focus on the role of aerosol particles in the radiative balance as well as on environmental issues in Amazonia. He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and member of the IPCC. He has been honored on several occasions: In 2004 he received a Senate vote of approval for his Brazilian scientific work on Amazonian environment, and awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa in 2009 at the University of Stockholm, Sweden. He is one of the most cited Brazilian researchers with more than 480 papers, with 51,300 citations in Google Scholar, with an h-index of 105. Has 24872 citations in the Research ID with an h-index of 83. Published 27 papers in the Science and Nature family of journals. He received the prize of "Most Influential Researcher" from Clarivate in 2014, 1015, 2018 and 2019.

Cordani is emeritus professor, Institute of Geosciences, University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil. He was trained in geochronology at UC Berkeley (1963) under the guidance of John Reynolds, and obtained his DSc (USP) in 1968. In the 60’s he established a geochronological laboratory that gained international recognition. At the USP he was director of the Institute of Geosciences (1987-1991) and Institute of Advanced Studies (1994-1997). He was president of the International Union of Geological Sciences (1988-1992) and the 31st International Geological Congress (Rio de Janeiro, 2000). He has published ca. 280 scientific articles, and received many awards, among which the Great Cross of Scientific Merit (Brazil), the José Bonifacio Gold Medal (Brazilian Geological Society), and the TWAS medal lecture. He is member of the academies of science of Brazil, Argentina, France and Portugal.

Carlos Alberto Aragão de Carvalho (BSc, 1973, MSc, 1976, PUC/RJ; PhD Princeton, 1980): retired Professor of Physics, UFRJ (1994 - 2016); specialist in Quantum Field Theory & its applications. Currently: Director of Scientific and Technological Development, Finep/MCTI. Previously: Research Associate, CERN (1980-81); Research Associate, CNRS, University of Paris XI, Orsay (1981-82); Assistant Professor (1982-88) & Associate Professor (1985-93), PUC/RJ; Director of Innovation, Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development - ABDI (2005); Director of Scientific and Technological Development, Finep/MCTI (2005 - 2007); President, Brazilian National Research Council - CNPq (2010); Director-General, National Center for Research in Energy & Materials - CNPEM (2011-14); Director of Innovation & Technology, Inmetro (2014-2016); Technical Consultant, Naval Agency for Nuclear Safety and Quality - Brazilian Navy (2017-2023). Member: Brazilian Academy of Sciences and Brazilian National Academy of Engineering. Prizes: Medal & Great Cross, Brazilian Order of Scientific Merit; and Medal, Order of Naval Merit.