Free Event - Bilingual English/ Portuguese
2025 ScientistA Award Hybrid Event
Recognizing distinguished female scientists from
Brazil doing postdoctoral research in the US.
Join us. Career advice, keynotes, and awards.
Friday, October 17, 2025
5:30-7:30 pm ET
Welcome Remarks
Ambassador Santiago Irazabal Mourão
Santiago Irazabal Mourão is a career diplomat, Consul General of Brazil in Boston. He has long experience in multilateralism, notably in the field of disarmament and sensitive technologies. Prior to his appointment as Consul General in 2023, he was the Permanent Delegate of Brazil to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the President of the 41st General Conference. He was Deputy Secretary-General for International Cooperation, Trade Promotion and Cultural Affairs in Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2016-2019). He was also posted to Embassies in the United States, Iran, Paraguay and the Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Keynote
Dr. Leila M. V. Carvalho, University of California, Santa Barbara
Dr. Leila M. V. Carvalho was born and raised in Brazil, where her fascination with the atmosphere inspired a lifelong career in science. She earned her B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of São Paulo, later serving a decade as an Assistant Professor there. In 2009, she joined the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she leads the Climate Variations and Change (CLIVAC) research group.
Her work explores the processes shaping Earth’s climate across scales, from global monsoon systems to regional extremes. She investigates the drivers of intense precipitation, the behavior of atmospheric rivers, and the mechanisms behind downslope windstorms like California’s Sundowner Winds. More recently, she has investigated wildfire risk in the western United States and how climate change amplifies extreme precipitation over populated areas of South America. By combining models, remote sensing, and observations, Dr. Leila’s research deepens understanding of atmospheric dynamics while addressing urgent challenges in a rapidly changing climate.
Professional Development Panel
Taci Pereira
Jessica Freire Feitor
Jessica Freire Feitor
Taci Pereira is an entrepreneur and scientist transforming drug discovery through 3D bioprinting and AI. As Founder of Systemic Bio, a 3D Systems company, she led the development of bioprinted organ-on-a-chip platforms and secured over $15 million in funding, earning the SLAS 2025 Innovation Award. A Harvard-trained bioengineer, she has held leadership roles at 3D Systems and Allevi, and currently chairs the Science and Technology Committee for the Americas Chapter of iMPSS. As Co-founder and Co-president of BALSA, she strengthens the Brazilian life sciences community in the U.S. Recognized as a Forbes Brazil Under 30, Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40, and MIT Under 35 (Brazil) honoree, Taci continues to champion innovation and diversity in global science.
Jessica Freire Feitor
Jessica Freire Feitor
Jessica Freire Feitor
Jessica Feitor holds a PhD in Biological and Organic Chemistry from the São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (2022) and a B.S. in Chemistry (Food Emphasis) from the same institution (2018). Her research focuses on bioinspired therapeutics and diagnostics, living cellular devices, and 3D organ engineering, with a particular emphasis on proteomics, intestine-on-a-chip models, and intestinal disorders. Her current project, Proteomics Core and Intestine Chip for EED, integrates cutting-edge technologies to advance understanding of gut health and disease mechanisms. Jessica is Co-coordinator of PUB Boston, a network of Brazilian researchers in Boston.
Antonio Henriques
Jessica Freire Feitor
Antonio Henriques
Antonio Henriques is the Co-founder and CEO of Momentum Therapeutics, a biotech company developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and aging. With over 15 years in pharma and biotech, he has held key roles in business development and strategy at Sanofi, Amgen, and Genentech, leading major acquisitions, licensing deals, and global drug launches across neurology, oncology, and rare diseases. A graduate of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Antonio also holds a Master’s in Economics from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School. As Co-founder of BALSA, he fosters collaboration between Brazil and the U.S. in life sciences and was recognized with the Young Ibero-American Leader Award by the Spanish government.
Guests
Helena Nader
President, Brazilian Academy of Sciences
Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti
Ambassador of Brazil to the United States
Event Agenda
5:30- 5:40 PM ET US (18:30hs Brasilia)
- Master of Ceremony opens the event
- Opening Remarks by Santiago Mourao, Consul General, Consulate General of Brazil in Boston
- Remarks by Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Ambassador of Brazil to the United States
- Remarks by Ronaldo Costa, Consul General of Brazil in San Francisco
5:40- 6:10 PM ET
Keynote
- Leila M. V. Carvalho, University of California, Santa Barbara
6:10- 6:20 PM ET
- Remarks by Marcia Fournier, Founder Dimensions Sciences
- Remarks by Helena Nader, President, Brazilian Academy of Sciences
6:20- 6:30 PM ET
- Introduction of Finalists (1/2)
6:30- 7:00 PM ET
- Professional Development Panel: Careers in Sciences by BALSA
7:00- 7:10 PM ET
- Introduction of Finalists (2/2)
7:10- 7:30 PM ET
Honorable Mentions presented by
- Jessica Freire Feitor, PUB Boston
- Julio Cesar de Jesus, Consulate General of Brazil in Boston
- Fatima Farias, Grupo Mulheres do Brasil, Silicon Valley
- Rachel Santana, Scientific Board Dimensions Sciences
- Lothar Schubert, Board Member Dimensions Sciences
Award Revelation presented by
- Santiago Mourao, Consul General, Consulate General of Brazil in Boston
Official Partners
