Maysa Furlan
Rector, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil
Professor Maysa Furlan is a Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at São Paulo State University (UNESP) and a member of both the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) and the São Paulo State Academy of Sciences (ACIESP). She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of São Paulo (USP) and completed postdoctoral research at the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University (USA).
An accomplished scientist and academic leader, Professor Furlan has held key positions at UNESP, including Director of the Institute of Chemistry, Coordinator of the Graduate Programme in Chemistry, and Advisor to the Vice-Provost for Research. She has also contributed nationally as a member of the CAPES Chemistry Evaluation Committee and as a reviewer for major infrastructure programmes at FINEP.
Her career reflects a deep and sustained commitment to research excellence, scientific innovation, and global collaboration. As a driving force behind UNESP’s internationalisation strategy, she has strengthened the university’s global partnerships and positioned it as a key voice in international higher education. Professor Furlan has represented UNESP in strategic missions and dialogues with leading universities and research centres in Germany, Belgium, Canada, and other countries, advancing cross-border cooperation and promoting the visibility of Brazilian science on the world stage.
As Principal Investigator of the Centre for Research and Innovation in Biodiversity and Drugs (CIBFar), funded by FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation), she leads pioneering research on the chemical, biological, and biosynthetic diversity of natural products, applying synthetic biology to drug discovery and sustainable chemistry.
Through her scientific achievements and visionary leadership, Professor Furlan has helped transform UNESP’s institutional development, promoting innovation, inclusiveness, and global dialogue. She embodies the integration of academic excellence, research impact, and international engagement that defines UNESP’s mission and inspires its continued growth.