Latin America and Caribbean

Dellagostin, Odir Antonio


Current nationality
Brazil
Current country of residence
Brazil
Biodata
Dellagostin obtained his PhD in 1995, from the University of Surrey (UK), and is now full professor of biotechnology at the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. His research focuses on the development of recombinant vaccines and biotechnological innovations for the prevention of infectious diseases in animals. He has trained numerous Master of Science and PhD students and led high-impact research projects. He is currently president of the Research Foundation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and chair of the board of directors of the Centre for Strategic Studies and Management. He served two terms as president of the Brazilian National Council of State Research Funding Agencies, where he played a leading role in shaping public policy for science, technology and innovation in Brazil. He has represented Brazil in international scientific partnerships and serves on advisory boards and evaluation committees nationally and abroad. In 2018, he was elected to the Brazilian Academy of Science for his contributions to science and policy in Latin America.
ELECTED
DATE OF BIRTH
 
 

Public contact information

PHONE
(+55 53) 999-888-392
ADDRESS
Rua São José Do Norte, 554, Pelotas - RS, Brazil
Open in a new window
Last updated on 12/08/2025

Roque Da Silva, Antonio José


Current nationality
Brazil
Current country of residence
Brazil
Biodata
Roque da Silva is a full professor in the field of electronic structure simulations of condensed matter systems, Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, where he has been working since 1997. His research focuses on nanostructured materials and the exploration of both static and dynamic processes, in particular on charge transport calculations—a field in which he has pioneered methods for large, disordered systems. In 2009 he joined the Brazilian Centre for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), serving first as the director of the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory and, since 2018, as director-general of CNPEM. His leadership has been instrumental in the development of Sirius, the state-of-the-art synchrotron light source in Brazil. He holds a bachelor's and master’s degree in physics from Unicamp, a PhD and postdoctorate from UC Berkeley, and a postdoctorate from UCLA. He is a full member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of the State of São Paulo. In 2018, he received the National Medal of the Order of Scientific Merit, Commander Class, by the Presidency of the Republic, and in 2025 the Almirante Álvaro Alberto prize.
ELECTED
DATE OF BIRTH
 
 

Public contact information

PHONE
(+55 19) 3512-1011
ADDRESS
Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) – Rua Giuseppe Máximo Scolfaro, 10.000 – Polo II de Alta Tecnologia – Caixa Postal 6192, CEP 13083-100 – Campinas/SP Brazil
Open in a new window
Last updated on 09/10/2025

Tenório de Carvalho, Francisco de Assis


Current nationality
Brazil
Current country of residence
Brazil
Biodata
Tenório de Carvalho earned his PhD from Paris Dauphine University, in 1992, and is now a full professor at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. He received the Scientific Merit Award from the Brazilian Computer Society in 2021, and is now classified as a level 1A researcher—the highest category—by the Brazilian National Research Council. He is a Fellow of the following institutions: Science Academy of the State of Pernambuco-APC, Brazil (2020), Brazilian Academy of Sciences (2023), Core Academy (2024), Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (2024). He was a visiting professor at many European universities and research centres. He supervised 25 master’s and 14 doctoral theses, and authored more than 240 articles in high-impact journals and conferences. Now his h-index scores at 35 (Google Scholar), 27 (Scopus), and 24 (Web of Science). He is in the range of 2% of the most influential scientists in the world in the area of Artificial Intelligence. He is also a member of the Computer Science Advisory Committee of CNPq (2017–2020 and 2023–2026), and a member of the council of the International Association for Statistical Computing (2009–2013).
ELECTED
DATE OF BIRTH
 
 

Public contact information

Open in a new window
Last updated on 12/08/2025

Carlini, Celia Regina


Current nationality
Brazil
Current country of residence
Brazil
Biodata
Carlini earned her PhD from the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1985. She was appointed professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, and was a senior researcher at the Brain Institute of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. After her retirement, in 2022, she worked as an invited professor at UFRGS and the Federal University of Health Sciences, Porto Alegre. She is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and a research productivity fellow of the Brazilian CNPq. Carlini was a pioneer in proving the non-enzymatic properties of ureases, including their insecticidal, antifungal, and pro-inflammatory, and neurotoxic effects in rodents. Now, she studies how the ureases produced by Helicobacter pylori and Proteus mirabilis might contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. She was a referee for more than 60 international journals, science and technology funding agencies, and a member of the editorial board of Toxicon for 20 years, section editor of the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research. Since 2020, she is an executive editor of Current Neuropharmacology.
ELECTED
DATE OF BIRTH
 
 

Public contact information

PHONE
(+55 51) 981-003-877
Open in a new window
Last updated on 12/08/2025

Soares, Milena B. P.


Current nationality
Brazil
Current country of residence
Brazil
Biodata
Soares is a senior researcher at the Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, and a full professor at Senai Cimatec in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. She earned her Bachelor of Science in genetics and her PhD in immunology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, completing a visiting fellowship at Harvard University. She is a senior research Fellow of the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, a member of the Academy of Sciences of Bahia, and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on translational medicine, with the goal of developing new diagnostic tools, therapeutic drugs, and advanced therapeutic products. Her work primarily targets neglected and unmet medical needs, including Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and spinal cord injury. A pioneer in the field of ATMPs in Brazil, Soares was an expert advisor with the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency and the Ministry of Health. In her career, she has led collaborative research with national and international institutions, mentoring a new generation of researchers and health professionals, making a significant contribution to scientific capacity-building in Brazil.
ELECTED
Open in a new window
Last updated on 12/08/2025

Boldrin Zanoni, Maria Valnice


Current nationality
Brazil
Current country of residence
Brazil
Biodata
Boldrin Zanoni is a full professor at the Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil. She earned her master’s degree and PhD in chemical sciences from the University of São Paulo in 1985 and 1989, respectively, specializing in environmental electrochemistry. She completed her postdoctoral fellowships in chemistry at the University of Loughborough, UK (1992–1994), and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, US (2002), and was an academic visitor at Oxford University, in 2008. From 2010 to 2018, she served as an advisor for research development at UNESP. She is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and the Brazilian Academy of the State of São Paulo. Since 2021, she has served as vice-president for graduate studies at UNESP. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and honours that confirm her outstanding contributions to chemistry. Her scientific expertise includes the detection and treatment of micropollutants and CO₂ reduction. To date, she has supervised more than 75 master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers, and has published 321 papers, 5 books, and 14 book chapters.
ELECTED
DATE OF BIRTH
 
 

Public contact information

PHONE
(+55 16) 991-929-288
ADDRESS
Rua Lilia Elisa Eberle Lupo 501, casa A11
Open in a new window
Last updated on 12/08/2025

Besada Pérez, Vladimir Armando


Current nationality
Cuba
Current country of residence
Cuba
Biodata
Besada Pérez is a professor and coordinator of master's degree courses in mass spectrometry, biochemistry and proteomics at University of Havana and the Technological University Jose Antonio Echeverria. He earned a PhD in 1995 from the University of Havana, with a thesis on Characterization of recombinant proteins by mass spectrometry. Recently, he was involved in the characterization of the Cuban COVID-19 vaccines. He has organized international meetings, courses and workshops in Cuba. He collaborates with laboratories in Europe, Asia and South America, has co-authored more than 100 publications, and is the owner of more than 10 patents. His work has also supported projects at major Cuban biotechnological institutions like the Centre for Neurosciences of Cuba, National Centre for Scientific Research, National Centre for Bioproducts, University of Havana, Centre for Engineering and Industrial Development, Institute of Pharmacy and Food, and Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Development. He has been awarded almost 15 times by the Cuban Academy of Science, and has received the Carlos J. Finlay Medal (2016), Order Lázaro Peña (first level) and the Hombres de Ciencia Medal.
ELECTED
Open in a new window
Last updated on 12/08/2025

Bello Pérez, Rafael


Current nationality
Cuba
Current country of residence
Cuba
Biodata
Bello Pérez has a strong academic foundation in computer science, complemented by doctoral studies in mathematics. A member of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, Bello Pérez serves as a faculty member in the Department of Computer Sciences, where they lead the PhD Programme in computer sciences and informatics. He teaches courses in artificial intelligence (AI) at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and has authored over 300 scientific papers published in national and international journals, as well as several books. Their ongoing research focuses on advancing the field of AI, with current interests focused on explainable AI (XAI), responsible AI, and other emerging AI methodologies.
ELECTED
DATE OF BIRTH
 
 

Public contact information

PHONE
(+53 5) 217-1750
ADDRESS
Calle 9na no 212 entre 2da y 4ta, Reparto Universitario, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
Open in a new window
Last updated on 12/08/2025

Zorto Aguilera, Fernando Jose

zorto_fernando_0.jpeg

Current nationality
Honduras
Current country of residence
Honduras
Biodata
Fernando Zorto is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and director of the Research Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH). At UNAH, he teaches heat transfer, design projects, and research methods to engineers. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from UNAH and a Master of Science in project management from the Central American Technological University, also in Honduras. He is a PhD candidate in design, manufacturing, and managing industrial projects with Valencia Polytechnic University, in Spain. His research interests include atmospheric water harvesting, innovative projects, and aerospace systems. Since 2017, he has led the first satellite project in Honduras. He received the Honour of Merit of Engineering of the Pan-American Confederation of Mechanical, Electrical, and Other Fields of Engineering. In 2017, Zorto won the Best Essay about UNAH Scientific Research and Research Management at the XI Conference of Scientific Research UNAH.
AFFILIATED FROM
AFFILIATED UNTIL
Open in a new window
Last updated on 05/05/2025

Romero Rodriguez, Maria Cristina

romero-rodriguez_mariacristina_1.jpg

Current nationality
Paraguay
Current country of residence
Paraguay
Biodata
Cristina Romero-Rodríguez is a professor and head of the Department of Chemical Biology, at the National University of Asunción (UNA), in Paraguay, where she is also an assistant professor of biochemistry. She obtained a degree in biochemistry from the Faculty of Chemical Sciences (UNA). Then she earned a Master of Science in cellular, molecular, and genetic biotechnology, and a PhD in biosciences and agrifood sciences both from the University of Cordoba, Spain. Her research interests are in biological science and focus on the study of plant-microorganism interaction that she investigates through biochemical and proteomic approaches. Romero-Rodríguez is an active member of the National Incentive Program for Researchers of the National Council of Science and Technology of Paraguay. In the last five years, she has participated in seven financed projects (three as principal investigator), which allowed the development of a master's thesis, and the building of capabilities to develop doctoral programs in biological sciences in Paraguay. She serves as an associated editor for Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology and is a member of the editorial board of other national journals.
AFFILIATED FROM
AFFILIATED UNTIL

Public contact information

Open in a new window
Last updated on 05/05/2025
Subscribe to Latin America and Caribbean