Fátima Ferreira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fátima Ferreira
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| Born | 16 February 1959 Cachoeira de Goiás
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| Awards | Scientist of the Year award |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Federal University of Uberlândia, University of São Paulo |
| Academic work | |
| Institutions | Federal University of Santa Catarina, University of Toronto University of Vienna University of Salzburg |
| Main interests | biologist, biochemist |
Fátima Ferreira-Briza (born February 16, 1959, in Cachoeira de Goias, Brazil) is a brilliant scientist from Brazil and Austria. She is a biologist, a biochemist (someone who studies the chemistry of living things), and a teacher.
Since 2010, she has been a full professor of molecular biology at the University of Salzburg in Austria. Since October 2011, she has also been the Vice-Rector for Research at the university. This means she helps lead all the science research happening there.
Contents
Fátima Ferreira's Life Story
Fátima Ferreira was born in 1959 in Cachoeira de Goiás, a town in central Brazil. She finished her high school studies in Uberlândia in 1977.
She first studied dentistry at the Federal University of Uberlândia. In 1981, she earned her DDS degree, which means she became a dentist. After that, she decided to focus on science.
Her Journey in Science
In 1987, Fátima earned her PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree in biochemical sciences from the University of São Paulo. A PhD is a very high degree that shows someone is an expert in their field through original research.
After her PhD, she worked as a research assistant in different places. She was at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in 1988. Then, she moved to the University of Toronto in Canada in 1990. While in Toronto, she met Peter Briza, who would become her husband. He was also a professor, studying genetics at the University of Salzburg.
In 1992, Fátima moved to Austria and worked at the University of Vienna. Later that year, she became an assistant professor at the University of Salzburg.
Becoming a Professor
While working at the University of Salzburg, Fátima continued her studies. She earned an MSc (Master of Science) degree from the University of Vienna. Her special research for this degree was about how our bodies recognize a major allergen from birch pollen. An allergen is something that causes an allergic reaction.
She later became an associate professor at the University of Salzburg's Molecular Biology Department. In 2010, she became a full professor, which is a very high teaching and research position. In October 2011, she also took on the important role of Vice-Rector for Research. At the same time, she led a special lab focused on allergy diagnosis and treatment.
Her Research on Allergies
Fátima Ferreira's main research focuses on understanding allergens from pollen. Pollen is a fine powder from plants that can cause allergies. She studies pollen from trees like birch and plants like ragweed and mugwort. She also looks at pollen from Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress.
Her research explores how these pollen allergens interact with our immune system (the body's defense system). She works to find new ways to diagnose and treat allergies. This includes developing special vaccines made from proteins to help people with allergic diseases.
Awards and Recognition
In 2008, Fátima Ferreira received a special honor: the Scientist of the Year award. This award was given to her by the Austrian Club of Education and Science Journalists.
Because of this award, she was invited to Washington D.C. in the United States. There, she gave a lecture to share her knowledge about allergies with others.
See also
In Spanish: Fátima Ferreira para niños
