Hometown: I'm from Pintadas, a small town in the countryside of the state of Bahia, Brazil, 161 miles away from the capital, Salvador.
Major: Entomology
Anticipated Date of Graduation: Spring 2023
Why did you decide to come to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
Due to a large number of professors and friends of mine who are former students at UNL, who are examples for me and inspire me both for my professional and personal life I wanted to come to UNL. As well as for UNL's success story in training quality professionals with an environment inclusive, friendly and welcoming scientific and socially.
What is your favorite thing about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
The constant attention and service that the university provides regarding the well-being of all its members, both students, and staff.
What about diversity and inclusion is important to you when you think about your CASNR experience?
I have found a warm and open environment where people have the right to express themselves and feel-good sharing their daily lives with each other. Here being normal means being different and that's great since many of us come from completely different regions of the world.
Exposure to cultural differences is a huge part of college. What activity have you recently participated in that is different from what you are used to in your culture? This could be something you read, listened to, watched, eaten or otherwise taken part in. What did you learn from this activity?
I come from a region where food, and in this case more precisely lunch and dinner, is usually based on rice, pasta, beans, some cooked vegetables, salad and always has some animal protein. I have many friends here who culturally do not consume meat, and I always found it a little strange to have lunch and not have meat associated with that meal, but here we often have lunch together and share our meals and the food is so delicious that we don't even remember you're not eating meat. Thinking professionally, I have had the opportunity to practice and learn leadership skills with a team of amazing staff and friends who have turned my head on how I saw interpersonal relationships, making me a more qualified, more organized professional, with a vision of a leader, which I am practicing and improving daily.
What is your favorite class you have taken so far and why?
I think I would split my favorite between two classes: Insect Biodiversity and Scientific Writing and Communication. The reason is the same for both courses, first because insects and communication are two things, I'm passionate about, and second, because my professors are amazing and teach their respective courses with so much love that they make you so much involved. I don't know if I should say it was luck or a result of good choices, but I've had amazing professors!
What are your plans post-graduation?
My big dream and life project is to become a good researcher and professor, with that my next step, after graduation, will be to continue with my academic career by doing my Ph.D. in Entomology.
What's life like outside of school?
My life outside of school is all about coming home to my family, going out to play games and camping in the parks, and spending most of my time at home cooking and watching movies.
What scholarships, if any, have you received?
Up until now I have received the Larrick Graduate Student Travel Funds and the Swenk Fund scholarships, as a result of my participation in activities as an Entomology student.