Fábio Brito-Santos
Life Sciences
Fábio Brito-Santos is a scientist with a keen eye for the microscopic universe of fungi. Concerned with the consequences that human action generates on biodiversity, Brito-Santos’ project is a meticulous glimpse into the pathogenic fungi of the Amazon region and the transformations and impacts that these ecological systems suffer from anthropization—often causing harmful consequences for the populations that inhabit the area.
Graduated in pharmacy from Universidade Estácio de Sá, he received his master’s and doctorate in tropical medicine from Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, with a sandwich period at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research-University of Sydney, Australia.
Self-defined as a root tropicalist, the pharmacist is also a black man, son of Ogun and Yemanja, who finds a point of balance and support in life in spirituality and ancestry. From Rio de Janeiro, born in the neighbourhood of Madureira, he is passionate about Bahia and loves cooking in his free time. He is also the proud father of Taiô Brito, who, at nine years old, is already following in his father’s footsteps as a junior researcher at CNPQ.
Projects
Deforestation and climate change have been linked to changes in the epidemiology of pathogenic fungi. Studies of the biodiversity of pathogenic fungi directed to a region suffering over time from the impacts of anthropization constitute a challenge in our country. Particularly in the Amazon, where there is a high occurrence of endemic mycoses, pointing to a distinct epidemiological aspect not described in other regions. Given this current scenario, to answer the question, the project will use molecular tools applied mainly to investigate microbiomes and identify the biodiversity of pathogenic fungi, also evaluating the potential of these fungi to cause outbreaks in humans and animals.
