Roberto do Val Vilela

Passionate about advancing research in Public and Wildlife Health, I have been dedicated to this field since 2013 at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), the leading science and technology health institution in Latin America, operating under the Brazilian Ministry of Health. My expertise lies in Animal Evolution, with a strong focus on Genetics and Evolutionary Biology. Throughout my career, I have explored various captivating subjects such as Evolution, Coevolution, Molecular Systematics, Phylogeography, and Cytogenetics. In addition to my scientific pursuits, I possess a unique set of unconventional skills that enable me to contribute to scientific research in inhospitable environments. With a deep-rooted passion for exploration, I actively engaged in Speleology, Rock and Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, High Altitude Mountaineering, and Scuba Diving since 1991. My commitment to scientific exploration led me to serve as an alpinist for the Brazilian Antarctic Program, where I provided crucial support to Research Projects and Scientists in the challenging Antarctic landscape. I had the privilege of working in Scientific Field Camps and at the 'Comandante Ferraz' Brazilian Antarctic Station. Moreover, I embarked on an expedition aboard the Polar Ship Almirante Maximiano as a researcher for the Fiocruz Antarctic Project from January to March 2022. Since 2020, I have actively participated in the Museums and Emerging Pathogens in the Americas (MEPA) network, a Virtual Community of Practice. This dynamic community aims to enhance the integration of natural history collections into global networks focused on One Health and biomedical research. Driven by my insatiable curiosity, I am always eager to embark on new discoveries and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)