The middle child of three very competitive brothers, Eugenio Hottz is a biologist from the University Centre of Barra Mansa and holds a master’s degree in tropical medicine and a doctorate in cell and molecular biology from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute. During his doctorate, Eugenio spent a period as a visiting researcher at the University of Utah in the United States. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Immunopharmacology Laboratory of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute. In the lab he is investigating the role of platelets in the human body’s immune response to viral infections. Outside the lab, and to broaden his horizons and forget about the microscopic world for a bit he turns to music A ballroom dancer and accomplished guitarist, the scientist divides his time between laboratories, writing articles, and spending time at bars. Now a lecturer at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Eugênio enjoys cooking and tending to his herb garden in his backyard.