Amanda Gonçalves Bendia

Graduated in Biological Sciences (University of Vale do Itajaí), Master in Biophysics (Program of Molecular and Structural Biology) (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) and PhD in Microbiology (University of São Paulo). She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Oceanographic Institute of USP. Her research areas involves microbial ecology, extreme environmental microbiology, Antarctic microbiology, marine microbiology, molecular genetics of microorganisms, bioinformatics and astrobiology. She is a member of APECS-Brazil (National Committee of the Association of Early Researchers of Polar Researchers) in the coordination of Education and Scientific Outreach and an effective member of the Brazilian Society of Astrobiology. She participated in four scientific expeditions to Antarctica by the Brazilian Antarctic Program, at the Brazilian Antarctic Station Commander Ferraz and aboard the Admiral Maximian Polar Ship. She participates in several projects of scientific outreach, such as "Girls with Science / Diving in Science - USP edition", "Science Clubs Brazil (UFMG / UFRJ)" and several other initiatives that seek to disseminate science in events, schools and on the streets. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)