Beginning the activities of the Opening Week of the 2026 Academic Year at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fioc(ruz), on March 9th, the graduation ceremony was held to mark the completion of the academic journey of more than 100 masters and doctoral graduates from the seven Stricto sensu Graduate Programs IOC.
Marked by institutional recognition and filled with emotion and stories of overcoming challenges, the event brought together alumni, administrators, faculty, friends, and family at the Arthur Neiva auditorium in Manguinhos (RJ). The program was part of the beginning of the commemorative actions for the 5th act of... Secular Silver Jubilee of IOC.
At the opening of the ceremony, the Director of Teaching and Extension of IOCNorma Brandão highlighted the symbolic nature of the reunion and the importance of publicly valuing scientific training.
“This ceremony values training as a public act, as formal recognition of an achievement that transcends the individual sphere. Training researchers strengthens national science and expands the capacity to respond to contemporary health challenges,” he stated.
On that occasion, the director launched the Alumni Project, an initiative aimed at valuing and connecting graduates of the Institute's Postgraduate Programs.
The proposal brings together data about these professionals in a new section on the website. IOC, expanding the visibility of the community formed by the Institute and facilitating academic and professional connections.
“The goal is to give visibility to our graduates and strengthen this network. We already have more than four thousand graduates identified, and we want them to be found for different opportunities, whether in research, teaching, or the job market,” explained Norma.
Representing the graduates, alumna Camila Santos Lucio, from the Postgraduate Program in Parasitic Biology, highlighted that many of the graduates began their academic careers in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, facing a context of uncertainty, social distancing, and losses.
“We were the first class to begin a completely remote selection process. Our classes started through screens and our meetings were held through virtual windows. Even so, we persevered because there was something greater that united us, which was the commitment to science and knowledge,” he stated.
Camila also highlighted the personal challenges she faced throughout her doctoral studies, including motherhood and the impact of a fire in the building where her laboratory was located, which kept her away from the lab for months.
"If we've come this far, it's because we've learned that doing science is, above all, an act of courage, resilience, and hope," he declared.
Among the new masters and doctoral graduates, diverse trajectories revealed the impact of their training on professional practice and the production of knowledge focused on public health.
A graduate of the Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, newly minted PhD Tatiana Campos Neves conducted research on the socio-environmental vulnerability associated with Covid-19 in the Amazon.
Using epidemiological data, the study analyzed the different municipal contexts of the region to understand how social and environmental factors influenced the outcomes of the pandemic.
"It was a union of health, science, technology, and the environment. For me, it was very important to be able to continue in the health field without forgetting my roots in the environmental field," she said.
Throughout her doctoral studies, Tatiana, who is a person with a disability, received institutional support from Acolhe. IOC and the Student Support Center (CAD), initiatives aimed at providing psychosocial and psycho-pedagogical support to students.
According to her, this follow-up was essential for the continuation of the research.
"The psychosocial support was essential. It's what allowed me to finish my research," she reported.
Shortly before her defense, she received the news that she had been selected through a competitive examination by the Ministry of Health. Today, she works as a technologist in the Department of Public Health Emergencies at the Secretariat of Health and Environmental Surveillance.
Also a graduate of Tropical Medicine, Aldemes Barroso, who is the mayor of the municipality of Arraial (PI), highlighted the direct application of scientific knowledge in improving the health conditions of the population.
During his training, the researcher and politician conducted research on Chagas disease in rural communities in the region, investigating the infection in hundreds of residents.
"Around 800 people were surveyed. We were able to identify positive cases and include these patients in the Unified Health System so that they could begin treatment," he explained.
According to him, the training contributes to strengthening the performance of SUS professionals. "With a better-prepared team, we can improve access to and the quality of care offered to communities," he stated.
Dr. Greisieli Duarte Pereira, from the Postgraduate Program in Teaching in BiocIn the Sciences and Health department, she recalled the difficulties faced throughout her studies and highlighted the institution's role in supporting students.
“I am a woman who came from Baixada Fluminense (RJ), from a region called Café Torrado, and today I am here receiving my doctoral degree from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute,” she declared, visibly moved.
Student representative Fernanda Ramos emphasized the importance of the Academic Year Opening Week as a space for integration between students and alumni.
"The opening week of the academic year is very important for the student and alumni community because it allows us to connect. New students get to know their classmates, returning students become more involved in activities, and now, our beloved alumni continue to feel a sense of belonging." IOC"He reflected."
The event concluded with tributes and fellowship among graduates, family members, and faculty, marking the celebration of a new generation of researchers committed to science and Brazilian public health.
According to Norma Brandão, the proposal is for the ceremony to become a permanent part of the opening of the academic year at the Institute.
“The idea is for this meeting to happen every year, bringing together the graduates from the previous year. In postgraduate studies, the concept of a class doesn't always apply in the same way, because students follow very different paths. Promoting this reunion is important to strengthen ties and keep this network alive,” he concluded.
Beginning the activities of the Opening Week of the 2026 Academic Year at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fioc(ruz), on March 9th, the graduation ceremony was held to mark the completion of the academic journey of more than 100 masters and doctoral graduates from the seven Stricto sensu Graduate Programs IOC.
Marked by institutional recognition and filled with emotion and stories of overcoming challenges, the event brought together alumni, administrators, faculty, friends, and family at the Arthur Neiva auditorium in Manguinhos (RJ). The program was part of the beginning of the commemorative actions for the 5th act of... Secular Silver Jubilee of IOC.
At the opening of the ceremony, the Director of Teaching and Extension of IOCNorma Brandão highlighted the symbolic nature of the reunion and the importance of publicly valuing scientific training.
“This ceremony values training as a public act, as formal recognition of an achievement that transcends the individual sphere. Training researchers strengthens national science and expands the capacity to respond to contemporary health challenges,” he stated.
On that occasion, the director launched the Alumni Project, an initiative aimed at valuing and connecting graduates of the Institute's Postgraduate Programs.
The proposal brings together data about these professionals in a new section on the website. IOC, expanding the visibility of the community formed by the Institute and facilitating academic and professional connections.
“The goal is to give visibility to our graduates and strengthen this network. We already have more than four thousand graduates identified, and we want them to be found for different opportunities, whether in research, teaching, or the job market,” explained Norma.
Representing the graduates, alumna Camila Santos Lucio, from the Postgraduate Program in Parasitic Biology, highlighted that many of the graduates began their academic careers in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, facing a context of uncertainty, social distancing, and losses.
“We were the first class to begin a completely remote selection process. Our classes started through screens and our meetings were held through virtual windows. Even so, we persevered because there was something greater that united us, which was the commitment to science and knowledge,” he stated.
Camila also highlighted the personal challenges she faced throughout her doctoral studies, including motherhood and the impact of a fire in the building where her laboratory was located, which kept her away from the lab for months.
"If we've come this far, it's because we've learned that doing science is, above all, an act of courage, resilience, and hope," he declared.
Among the new masters and doctoral graduates, diverse trajectories revealed the impact of their training on professional practice and the production of knowledge focused on public health.
A graduate of the Postgraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, newly minted PhD Tatiana Campos Neves conducted research on the socio-environmental vulnerability associated with Covid-19 in the Amazon.
Using epidemiological data, the study analyzed the different municipal contexts of the region to understand how social and environmental factors influenced the outcomes of the pandemic.
"It was a union of health, science, technology, and the environment. For me, it was very important to be able to continue in the health field without forgetting my roots in the environmental field," she said.
Throughout her doctoral studies, Tatiana, who is a person with a disability, received institutional support from Acolhe. IOC and the Student Support Center (CAD), initiatives aimed at providing psychosocial and psycho-pedagogical support to students.
According to her, this follow-up was essential for the continuation of the research.
"The psychosocial support was essential. It's what allowed me to finish my research," she reported.
Shortly before her defense, she received the news that she had been selected through a competitive examination by the Ministry of Health. Today, she works as a technologist in the Department of Public Health Emergencies at the Secretariat of Health and Environmental Surveillance.
Also a graduate of Tropical Medicine, Aldemes Barroso, who is the mayor of the municipality of Arraial (PI), highlighted the direct application of scientific knowledge in improving the health conditions of the population.
During his training, the researcher and politician conducted research on Chagas disease in rural communities in the region, investigating the infection in hundreds of residents.
"Around 800 people were surveyed. We were able to identify positive cases and include these patients in the Unified Health System so that they could begin treatment," he explained.
According to him, the training contributes to strengthening the performance of SUS professionals. "With a better-prepared team, we can improve access to and the quality of care offered to communities," he stated.
Dr. Greisieli Duarte Pereira, from the Postgraduate Program in Teaching in BiocIn the Sciences and Health department, she recalled the difficulties faced throughout her studies and highlighted the institution's role in supporting students.
“I am a woman who came from Baixada Fluminense (RJ), from a region called Café Torrado, and today I am here receiving my doctoral degree from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute,” she declared, visibly moved.
Student representative Fernanda Ramos emphasized the importance of the Academic Year Opening Week as a space for integration between students and alumni.
"The opening week of the academic year is very important for the student and alumni community because it allows us to connect. New students get to know their classmates, returning students become more involved in activities, and now, our beloved alumni continue to feel a sense of belonging." IOC"He reflected."
The event concluded with tributes and fellowship among graduates, family members, and faculty, marking the celebration of a new generation of researchers committed to science and Brazilian public health.
According to Norma Brandão, the proposal is for the ceremony to become a permanent part of the opening of the academic year at the Institute.
“The idea is for this meeting to happen every year, bringing together the graduates from the previous year. In postgraduate studies, the concept of a class doesn't always apply in the same way, because students follow very different paths. Promoting this reunion is important to strengthen ties and keep this network alive,” he concluded.
The non-profit reproduction of the text is allowed as long as the source is cited (Comunicação / Instituto Oswaldo Cruz)
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