Brazilian NIH alumni organize

May - June, 2009 | Volume 8, Issue 3

Scientists who have trained in Brazil under NIH auspices or received grants have formed an alumni association.

Meeting at the Brazilian Academy of Sciences this spring, they agreed to work toward greater collaboration between scientists and institutions of both countries, said Kevin Bialy, Fogarty's acting program officer for the Western Hemisphere.

Goals of the association include helping NIH fellows returning to Brazil to identify research positions, establish exchanges with NIH and organize scientific meetings within Brazil or regionally, including mentorship in grants writing.

Bialy said such an organization has benefits for NIH as a source for peer review or program evaluation panels, for regional expertise, for scientific policy advocacy in the country and as a model for alumni in other countries.

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