Keynote: "Sustainability, Land Use & Policy Impact"
This keynote explores the urgent challenges shaping climate-change research today and reflects on the speaker's path from nonprofit work to a career in academic research.
Joyce Brandão, Socio-Environmental Research & Practitioner
Joyce Brandão is a Brazilian socio-environmental researcher and practitioner with over 15 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, forest conservation, and rural development. She is currently a PhD candidate in Geography at the University of Cambridge, studying how political shifts shape the effectiveness and equity of forest-focused supply chain policies (FSPs) in Brazil’s soy and cattle sectors.
Joyce's career spans leadership roles at Solidaridad Brasil, WWF-Brasil, and Fundação Getúlio Vargas, where she managed programs to combat deforestation and promote low-carbon agriculture in the Amazon and Cerrado.
Joyce’s work bridges science and policy, advancing equitable solutions for forest conservation and livelihoods. She is a co-author of multiple international publications on agro-commodity governance and sustainability transitions across tropical landscapes.
Professional Development Panel
What happens when scientists take their curiosity beyond the lab? Meet three STEM minds who ventured into finance, law, sustainability, and high tech - showing that a science background isn’t a straight line, it’s a launchpad.
Nathalie Hoffman, JD/MBA, is Managing Director at Weaver and an accredited LCFS verifier. With a math foundation and expertise in carbon intensity and renewable fuels, she advises on LCFS and RFS strategies and serves on the American Biogas Council Board. Fluent in Portuguese and experienced with Brazilian biofuels, Nathalie brings global insight to clean energy compliance.
Cristina Amorim, Brazilian-born sustainability and ESG leader with a STEM background in chemical sciences, drives global EHS, climate action, and product stewardship strategies. She champions innovation, agile teams, and co-creation to deliver future-proof solutions for complex environmental challenges, leveraging technology and collaboration to accelerate decarbonization.
Lothar Schubert is a marketing executive with a physics background, specializing in solutions and customer marketing in AI and data infrastructure. With leadership roles at Hitachi, GE Digital, SAP, and startups - and experience across the U.S., Europe, and Japan - Lothar brings a global, first-principles approach to enterprise technology.
Task Force "Climate Change" Panel
Meet the Bridges '25 Scholars, their research and their missions.
Introductions
Luis is a physician and health administrator with 24+ years in health journalism, combining clinical leadership roles (including work with the 2014 FIFA World Cup) with national broadcast experience as a health correspondent for Rádio CBN.
DS Bridges '25 Scholar
Leticia Ferreira de Sousa, PhD
Leticia explores how microbial co-inoculation can protect soybeans from drought and other abiotic stresses. Her research aims to sustain crop performance under changing climate conditions—supporting farmers, supply chains, and food security.
DS Bridges '25 Scholar
Izaias investigates how extreme rainfall patterns are shifting and what that means for urban drainage in Brazil’s Northeast. By integrating data analysis with practical infrastructure considerations, his work helps cities anticipate risk and plan for resilient water systems.
Panel Moderator
Event Agenda
5:30- 5:40 PM ET US (19:30hs Brasilia)
Opening Remarks
by Marcia Fournier PhD, Founder, Dimensions Sciences
5:40- 6:20 PM ET
Keynote: "Sustainability, Land Use & Policy Impact"
by Joyce Brandão
Introduced by Fatima Cardoso, DS Mentor in Residence
6:20- 6:50 PM ET
Professional Development Panel
- Lothar Schubert (Moderator)
- Cristina Amorim
- Nathalie Hoffman
6:50- 7:20 PM ET
Task Force "Climate Change" Panel
- Luis Fernando Correia PhD (Introductions)
- Prof. Isaia Nisoli PhD, Scientific Committee (Moderator)
- Izaias Neto PhD, Bridges Scholar
- Leticia Sousa PhD, Bridges Scholar
7:20- 7:30 PM ET
Closing Remarks