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BALSA
ABOUT BALSA

Our mission

Strengthen the Brazilian community abroad and build a network of support and exchange across research, innovation, health, and biotechnology.

BIOTECHPHARMAACADEMIAHEALTHCAREAI × BIOLOGYBUSINESS & VENTURETOOLS & DIAGNOSTICSBIOMANUFACTURINGBIOECONOMYPOLICY & GLOBAL HEALTH
BALSA members gathered together at a community event

Our history

BALSA was born from the desire to unite Brazilians in the United States, to find each other, support each other, and strengthen the Brazilian presence in the life sciences. What began as a handful of connections has grown into a community active in more than 60 U.S. cities.

It still works the way it started. The network is free and participatory, members open doors for one another, and everything BALSA runs is built by volunteers.

THE TEAM

The people behind BALSA

A passionate group of Brazilian life-sciences professionals building this community as volunteers.

LEADERSHIP
Photo of Antonio Henriques, MBA
Antonio Henriques, MBA
Co-Founder, President & Board Member
Biotech Executive · Harvard Business School
Photo of Matheus Silva
Matheus Silva
Co-Founder & VP, Undergrad
Student, Harvard Bioengineering
Photo of Sayuri Magnabosco, MS
Sayuri Magnabosco, MS
VP, Fundraising and Partnerships
Consulting · Biomedical Engineer, Dartmouth College '21
Photo of Roberta Toporovski, MS
Roberta Toporovski, MS
VP, Business & Entrepreneurship
MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund · Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Photo of Fábio Medeiros, PhD
Fábio Medeiros, PhD
VP, Communications
Senior Scientist, Nature's Fynd · Fermentation & Food Biotech
Photo of Victor Brito, PhD
Victor Brito, PhD
VP, Science & Research
Postdoctoral Researcher, Washington University in St. Louis
Photo of Jéssica Kretli Zanetti, MS
Jéssica Kretli Zanetti, MS
VP, Events
Sr. Research Technician, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Photo of Taci Pereira, BS
Taci Pereira, BS
Co-Founder & Board Chair
Biotech Entrepreneur · Forbes Brazil U30 · Harvard College '17
Photo of Daniel Dahis, PhD
Daniel Dahis, PhD
Co-Founder & Board Member
Clinical Development Scientist · 420k+ followers on social media
VOLUNTEERS
12+ people
Photo of Ana Clara Morais
Undergrad
Ana Clara Morais
Director of Tech & Data
University of Oklahoma
Photo of Maria Vitoria Sypnievski
Undergrad
Maria Vitoria Sypnievski
Director of Events
Tufts University
Photo of Miki Ikeda
Undergrad
Miki Ikeda
Director of Events
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Photo of Gustavo Botega
Undergrad
Gustavo Botega
Director of Mentorship
Harvard College
Photo of Izabela Pacheco
Undergrad
Izabela Pacheco
Director of Grants
Harvard College
Photo of Raissa Leal
Undergrad
Raissa Leal
Director of Grants
Stetson University
Photo of Maria Tavares
Science & Research
Maria Tavares
Director of Academic Communications
UC San Diego
Photo of Camille Leal
Science & Research
Camille Leal
Director of Academic Opportunities
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Photo of Fernanda Martins Rodrigues
Science & Research
Fernanda Martins Rodrigues
Director of Industry Opportunities
Washington University in St. Louis
Photo of Scheila Kraus, PhD
Science & Research
Scheila Kraus, PhD
Director of Industry Communications
Photo of Nikolas Lino
Communications
Nikolas Lino
Community Manager
University of Connecticut
Photo of Daniel Fulop
Communications
Daniel Fulop
Social Media Designer
UNIRIO
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