Ayla Sant’Ana da Silva, a biologist passionate about pilates, holds a master’s and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, her alma mater. She conducted some of her graduate studies at the National Institute for Industrial and Scientific Advancement (AIST) in Japan. Ayla’s research focuses on a significant seed from the Brazilian flora: açaí. Her work could potentially lead to significant advancements in harnessing açaí as an energy source. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with several academic awards, including the 2014 CAPES Thesis Award for the best doctoral thesis in biotechnology defended in 2013. When not immersed in her research, Ayla enjoys engaging in intense board game battles with her husband. Their collection boasts over 100 games, providing endless entertainment at home.