The following story was originally printed in Portuguese on the Sertão Web website. The translation was provided by Lauana Pereira de Oliveira, a postdoctoral research associate in the Long Lab at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana--Champaign.

In the town of São João dos Patos, specifically in the Podoi neighborhood, begins the story of Lauana, a native of the region and daughter of Maria Luiza, known as Nega. Her journey is an inspiring testimony of perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. Lauana navigated a path filled with challenges to become an internationally recognized scientist, currently working in the United States.

Hailing from humble origins, Lauana was encouraged from an early age by her mother to pursue her dreams through education. Despite facing financial difficulties, she stood out for her determination and commitment to her studies. Her academic journey began at the Federal Institute of Piauí in Floriano, where she graduated in Biology with the support of scholarships and student aid. Lauana's thirst for knowledge led her to pursue a master's degree in Ecology at the Federal University of Ceará, where she overcame obstacles such as selling her refrigerator to cover expenses in the new city. Determined to make a difference, she headed to São Paulo to pursue a Ph.D. at USP. Temporarily residing in a hostel, working as a night attendant while interning during the day at the university, Lauana faced new challenges. During her Ph.D. in Biotechnology, her research focused on sugarcane, aiming to improve the crop's productivity for the production of bioethanol, a sustainable fuel. Her efforts were rewarded with two awards and funding from the renowned company Shell.

Currently, Lauana is in the United States, contributing to a research laboratory funded by the Bill Gates Foundation^. Integrating one of the world's top research groups in photosynthesis, her focus is on improving the productivity of essential crops such as soybeans, aiming to ensure access to food for a healthy and productive life. Lauana's story is a living example of the transformative power of education and determination to achieve goals, regardless of obstacles. Her journey inspires, highlighting the importance of perseverance and dedication in the pursuit of knowledge and scientific advancement.

Read the original story, De São João dos Patos a cientista internacional: A jornada da patoense Lauana em busca do conhecimento e da transformação.

^Lauana’s work is part of RIPE 3.0 and is funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations.