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Meet the BRASA Scholars
Explore the universe of courage and determination of the scholars who are part of our program.
First Generation of BRASA Scholars
Meet the six students who form the First Generation of BRASA Scholars
Tufts University
Maycon Cesar
Maycon founded the Brazil4Education project, an initiative that promotes teaching programming and 3D modeling among underrepresented communities.
He was selected by Foodtank as one of the 18 young people who will change global agriculture.
He is studying Quantitative Economics and Education with a minor in Computer Science at Tufts University.
Melissa Oliveira
Stanford University
Melissa is part of the InspiraSonho team and is the regional director of Gotinhas do Bem, organizations that allow her to work with different aspects of education.
She created Projeto Forte, an organization where students provided free tutoring for public school students.
She studies Political Science at Stanford University.
John Quintanilha
Tufts University
João co-founded his school's first science team, developed a study analyzing a typical Brazilian seed capable of cleaning polluted waters, gaining international recognition from NASA and Harvard.
He is studying Biology and Computer Science at Tufts University.
Henry Lima
Jagielloński University
Henrique was a finalist in the 3rd FIAP Google App Marathon. During this event, he created an educational social app called Opining, which encourages young people to engage in debates and enhance their critical thinking skills.
He is studying International Relations and Area Studies at Uniwersytet Jagielloński.
Minerva University
Felipe Couto
Fellipe successfully led the first Brazilian team to compete at NASA, earning two international awards: the Jesco Von Puttkamer International Team Award and the Frank Joe Memorial Pit Crew Award.
He is studying Computer Science at Minerva University.
Marina Rosignoli
University of Studies in Rome
Marina founded and is a columnist for the Diversitas blog, where she writes about topics related to economics, gender equality, well-being, and politics.
She was a scholar at the UN headquarters in Washington D.C., where she participated in the Girl Up conference.
She is studying Political Science at Università degli Studi di Roma.
Second Generation of BRASA Scholars
Meet the six students who form the Second Generation of BRASA Scholars
Babson College
Giulia Jacques
Giullia founded Absorvidas, a project enabling incarcerated women in Rio de Janeiro to produce their own eco-friendly menstrual products through paid work, while also providing menstrual education in prisons.
She is studying Business and Social Entrepreneurship at Babson College.
Laura Leal
Weslley College
Laura conducted research on gender inequality in exact sciences, selected for publication at MOSTRATEC.
She traveled to the USA as a Young Ambassador and to France through Gakko, learning about activism and entrepreneurship.
She is studying Public Policy and Neuroscience at Wellesley College.
Luiza Vilanova
Columbia University
Luiza founded Gotinhas do Bem, a project essential for developing socio-emotional skills in public schools through playful themes.
The organization impacts more than 8,000 people in 15 states and 7 other countries.
She studies Public Policy and Global Health at Columbia University.
Gabriel Silva
Minerva University
Gabriel learned English, and by 17, he purchased a school to assist youth in his community.
He saw English as a means to help other young people and children in his community to dream bigger.
He is currently studying Computer Science and Psychology at Minerva University.
Tufts University
John Medeiros
João, at the Acredito Movement , led national engagement, co-creating "My First Vote" .
Mobilizing 7,000 young people, he collaborated with Tábata Amaral and managed social media for almost two years.
Studies Computer Science and Political Science at Tufts University .
Robson Amorim
Minerva University
Robson led a team of eight students in the Brazilian Robotics Olympiad, winning 6 medals and ranking as the 5th best national team. He raised R$16,000 by selling truffles to fund his studies. He was admitted to a summer startup program at MIT with a scholarship.
He is studying Computer Science and Business at Minerva University.
Third Generation of BRASA Scholars
Meet the ten students who from the Third Generation of BRASA Scholars
Harvey Mudd College
Ana Studart
Ana, Co-Founder of the Projeto Sem Parar, promotes science among girls.
She is a medalist in 36 competitions in astronomy, physics, computer science, robotics, and mathematics.
She represented Brazil 6 times in International Mathematics Olympiads.
She studies Mathematics and Computational Biology at Harvey Mudd College.
Antonio Medeiros | Poa't
Dartmouth College
André proposed a law to reintegrate convicts into the workforce, leading him to the Brazilian Youth Parliament in 2018.
At Lester B Pearson UWC of the Pacific, he led LGBTQ+ students and the CAR club, focusing on anti-racism and ethnic-racial relations.
He is currently studying Linguistics and Native American Studies at Dartmouth College.
Beatriz Falcão
Dartmouth College
Beatriz was internationally recognized for her inclusive education project, awarded at three national fairs including FEBRACE and FEBIC, and selected for INFOMATRIX Latin America in Mexico. She also won the EF Challenge speech contest, being the only Brazilian winner in 2020.
She is studying Political Science and Education at Dartmouth College.
University of Amsterdam
Douglas Maragon
Douglas led engineering students at the CERTI Foundation, executing innovation projects for industries such as WEG, Embraco and Tupy.
Approved by ProLíder in 2019, he discussed the Brazilian scenario.
Works in corporate innovation at The Bakery.
Studies Economics and Business at University of Amsterdam.
University of Studies in Rome
João Morais
João spoke at the TEDx Youth Conference, sharing dreams of social change in Brazil.
He was part of the Eastern Mediterranean International School, where he developed activism projects and conflict resolution initiatives.
He studies Global Governance and Political Science at the University of Rome.
Matheus Coutinho
Amherst College
Matheus conducted coproparasitology research at Fiocruz, created sustainable whiteboard paint at Colégio Pedro II, and helped produce histology teaching materials for visually impaired students. He was accepted into the Youth Ambassadors Program (USA) and LALA (Ecuador).
He studies Computer Science and Neuroscience at Amherst College.
Victor Dubeux
University of Pennsylvania
Victor founded SCIALL, a social technology startup that developed innovations like BookFinder, an app connecting book donors with students in favelas of Recife, and DocAssist, an electronic device for skin cancer diagnosis.
He is studying Bioengineering and Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Nathan Ferreira
Brown University
Natan was on the first school team to compete in the HMUN and the first Brazilian team in the WSDC World Debate Championship, where he was awarded best new nation .
He was a research fellow studying the capture of CO² by the portlandite particle present in hydrated cement.
Studies Computer Science at Brown University .
Palloma Izidio
Royal Conservatory of Mons
Palloma was part of the Youth Academy of Petrobrás Sinfônica, participated in the Oficina de Música de Curitiba, and was accepted to study at the prestigious Instituto Baccarelli.
She became section leader of the violas in the Heliópolis Symphony Orchestra at Instituto Baccarelli.
She is studying Music at Conservatoire Royal de Mons.
Yuri Costa
Duke University
Yuri conceptualized Project CID to prevent school dropout, and to expand the project, he participated in the Watson Fall Semester Incubation in Colorado, aiming to implement it in state schools.
He launched Segunda Chance, which aims to empower youth in shelters in Brazil.
He is studying Engineering and Public Policy at Duke University.
Fourth Generation of BRASA Scholars
Meet the ten students who from the Fourth Generation of BRASA Scholars
Minerva University
Felipe Bandeira
Felipe became President of a student NGO, where he created emergency initiatives during the pandemic and joined a global impact network.
Over the past four years, he has led initiatives that have impacted more than 2300 people.
He studies Computer Science and Economics at Minerva University.
Laryssa Lucena
Minerva University
Laryssa became a Chemistry teacher for Projeto Sem Parar, a project dedicated to free Olympic-level education for girls.
She founded and was President of the first Girl Up club in Recife, reaching out to underprivileged women's communities.
She studies Computer Science and Government and Society at Minerva University.
Leonardo Frazao
Université Panthéon-Sorbonne
Leonardo joined the Order of DeMolay, a fraternity whose philosophical principles are solidarity and service to others.
Within this organization, he held leadership positions and managed philanthropic initiatives.
At the age of 16, he wrote a bill advocating for the reintegration of juvenile offenders.
He studies Economics and Philosophy at Université Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Harvard University
Sofia Oliveira
Sofia participated in scientific research projects on natural and sustainable treatments for Lupus.
She was part of the Brazilian Youth Parliament, a young member of the New York Academy of Sciences, attending Summer Programs at YU, SU, and NYU.
She is studying Chemistry and Social Sciences at Harvard University.
University of Pennsylvania
Victor Diniz
Throughout high school, Victor conducted two research projects focusing on environmental remediation and disaster prevention, in collaboration with UFP and USP.
He has participated in international innovation events and received approximately 25 awards.
He is studying Economics and Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Aisha Lemos
Wesley College
Aisha serves as the youngest civil society representative in alignment meetings and project development with the Coordination of Public Policies for Women at the Municipal Secretariat of Human Rights and Social Development in Fortaleza.
She is studying Computer Science and Neuroscience at Amherst College.
Andre Santos
National Superior Orchestra Academy
André joined the University Center for Culture and Arts of Bahia and, for 3 years, had to travel 200km once a week to attend music classes.
He had the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra and was accepted into the Baccarelli Institute.
He studies Music at the National Superior Orchestra Academy.
João Fyllyppy
University of Porto
João participated in the "Comida na Mesa" project, delivering food baskets to several Black families in rural Tocantins during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He found himself as a leader, which led him to participate in various leadership bootcamps such as the Latin American Leadership Academy.
He is studying Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedicine at the University of Porto.
Leticia Vieria
Smith College
Leticia conducted scientific research in Physics and Astronomy, leading a project on a small satellite (CubeSat) for monitoring forest fires.
She has won 25 medals in scientific olympiads and received the "Change the World Like a Girl" Award in the Pioneer Category in 2021.
She is currently studying Engineering and Astronomy at Smith College.
Lisiane Alves
Tel Aviv University
Lisiane was part of the Brazilian Youth Parliament, with a bill that addressed the fair distribution of water resources in Brazil.
She was co-leader of the ImagineSUS Movement and the First Virtual Conference on Youth Leadership, focusing on health and education.
She studies Psychology at Tel Aviv University.
Fifth Generation of BRASA Scholars
Meet the eight students who from the Fifth Generation of BRASA Scholars
Minerva University
Pietro Souza
Pietro is part of Ismart Online and also participated in the Rise For The World competition, where he developed a new teaching methodology idea and was selected as one of the top 1% finalists in 2021 from among 50,000 candidates worldwide.
He is studying Computational Sciences at Minerva University.
Isabella Dias
Vanderbilt University
Isabela is the first Brazilian to receive the Ingram Scholarship from Vanderbilt University, and she is the founder of the NGO Garotas Pelo Mundo.
She was CEO of Gotinhas do Bem, participated in LALA, and now, alongside the Clinton Foundation and European Innovation Academy, she is founding InCapt Ventures.
She is studying Human and Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University.
Cauã Rodrigues
Vanderbilt University​
Cauã, founder of the Íris Initiative, participated in LALA and became the vice-champion in Brazil's largest high school debate tournament. He was recognized as a Young Talent by FAPERJ for research in sociolinguistics and won the Gold Medal in the Brazilian Olympiad of Human Sciences.
He is studying Political Science at Vanderbilt University.
Thais Hannecker
Tel Aviv University
Thaís was the leader of the International Relations Club and a participant in the Yale Young Global Scholars program.
She was empowered by access to transformative educational models, and her dream is to provide the same for young people through Hannecker Idiomas, democratizing educational innovation.
She is studying Psychology at Tel Aviv University.
Dartmouth College
Francisco Silveira
Francisco helped found the Íris Initiative, an organization that aims to support young LGBTQIA+ Brazilians through voluntary therapy.
He won a scholarship in 2021 to complete his high school education at UWC Mahindra College.
He is currently studying International Relations and Film at Dartmouth College.
João Haufes
Duke University
João is a Computer Technician from IFMS, where he graduated with the highest overall average.
He created a website dedicated to telling the history of his quilombola community and enhancing its visibility. Additionally, he participated in the Youth Ambassadors program and attended a summer program at Yale University during high school.
He is studying Computer Science at Duke University.
Northwestern University
Talyta France
Talyta was part of LALA and served as a Girl Up Leader. She made an impact on health and advocacy in Brazil, becoming the first Brazilian to win the international Girl Hero Award. She has been interviewed by CBN, Globo, Disney Brasil, Hersheys, and FGV.
She studies Journalism at Northwestern University.
Larissa Moreira
Wellesley College
Larissa, co-founder of Mulherando o Mundo, a project that mentors 70 women in Brazil and Africa to become leaders in their careers.
She will use her education to connect with leaders to include women in underprivileged areas.
She studies Economics and Geosciences at Wellesley College.
Sixth Generation of BRASA Scholars
Meet the eight students who from the Fifth Generation of BRASA Scholars
Bowdoin College
Livia Maria
Livia demonstrates a strong capacity for empathy and cultural sensitivity, understanding the reality of her communities and seeking ways to promote diversity.
She is a Global Teen Leader 2022, Young Changemaker (Ashoka Brasil), Young Ambassador (US Embassy), and UPG Sustainability Leader – one of 500 leaders selected from 6,400 international candidates. Recognized as an Outstanding Leader by Mapa Educação.
She studies Psychology and Education at Bowdoin College.
Elias Almeida
University of Chicago
Elias has an impressive and diverse academic and research background. His international experience at Harvard, combined with his work at Brazilian institutions, demonstrates an exceptional ability to integrate cutting-edge knowledge and technologies in different contexts.
He is the Co-Founder and Head of Research and Operations at Ambulis; Falling Walls Lab Brazil - 2nd Place, Falling Walls Lab - Winner, FACEPE Scholarship 2020 - 2022.
He studies Biology at the University of Chicago.
Johns Hopkins
Bianca Gajardoni
Bianca has a highly impactful journey as the Chief Operating Officer of Tocando em Frente. Her background is inspiring, and she demonstrates above-average ambition and determination. She develops technologies for fibromyalgia.
She has received the Top 50 Global Student Prize, 1st Place in the Global Innovation Award at FIRST LEGO LEAGUE, and was a finalist in the Change the World Like a Girl Award. She has also earned medals in National and Robotics Olympiads.
She studies Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins.
Harvard College
Maria Sampaio
Maria Eduarda stands out for her commitment to Brazil, research in phytoremediation, leadership in student clubs, and academic awards, reflecting her dedication to sustainable science and social impact. Among her numerous achievements are the Gold Medal in OBI 2020, Graça Couto Medal 2023 (Cadet Colonel at CMRJ), 4 MOBFOG Medals (2 Gold, 2 Silver), Bronze Medal in OBQ 2022 with an invitation to IChO and OIAQ qualifiers, and 3 Bronze Medals in OBMEP (2021, 2022, 2023).
She studies Mechanical Engineering and Astrophysics at Harvard College.
Guilherme Luvielmo
Georgia Tech University
Guilherme has an incredibly inspiring journey, marked by his determination to overcome adversity. A LinkedIn and Google Scholar, he shows an above-average commitment to Brazil. His passion for democratizing access to technology in Brazil is evident, and Guilherme demonstrates strong determination in pursuing this dream.
He has extensive professional experience, including managing significant projects in tech startups and coordinating educational technology. He is a mentor and robotics instructor for 400 students and has been named Brazilian Robotics Champion and FIRST Robotics Competition Shanghai Champion.
He studies Computer Science at Georgia Tech University.
Eric Ribeiro
Notre Dame University
Eric has a remarkable story of overcoming significant challenges, such as a lack of financial resources. His ability to persevere and achieve important milestones, like becoming the first Black person from his community to join delegations for rocket competitions, highlights a journey of resilience and excellence.
He is a multi-medalist: Gold Medal in the Brazilian Science Olympiad (OBC - TOP 6 National), Honorable Mention in the International Young Physicists' Tournament - Brazil (TOP 8 National), 3X Gold Medalist in the National Science Olympiad (ONC), and 3X Medalist in Chemistry (OBQ and OBQJr).
He studies Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science at Notre Dame University.