38th Paraná Science and Technology Award Honors Innovation in Health and Exact Sciences
The 38th Paraná Science and Technology Award highlighted significant research and innovation in health and exact sciences, distributing over R$ 228 thousand to ten winners and honoring key contributors to the state's scientific progress.
- • The 38th Paraná Science and Technology Award was held in Curitiba with 117 submissions and 95 validated projects.
- • A total of R$ 228,350 was awarded across five categories, including Research, Extension, and Undergraduate levels.
- • Key winners included Márcio Lourenço Rodrigues for fungal infection research and Aldo José Gorgatti Zarbin for developing sodium-water rechargeable batteries.
- • Linnyer Beatrys Ruiz Aylon received recognition for promoting digital inclusion through programming education.
- • A special tribute was paid to Professor Sueli Edi Rufini for her contributions to Paraná's science and education system.
Key details
The 38th Paraná Science and Technology Award ceremony took place in Curitiba on November 29, 2025, celebrating advancements in health and exact sciences. Organized by the State Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Higher Education (Seti), the event received 117 submissions, with 95 validated. A total of R$ 228,350 was distributed among ten winners across five categories, funded by the Paraná Fund.
Key awardees included Márcio Lourenço Rodrigues from the Carlos Chagas Institute for his research on fungal infections, highlighting public health challenges. Flávia Evelin Bandeira Lima Valério was recognized for offering free sports classes to more than 600 children in public schools, while Fernando Miguel Stelmach Alves developed a natural healing bandage. In exact sciences, Aldo José Gorgatti Zarbin was honored for pioneering sodium-water rechargeable batteries aimed at safer energy storage. Linnyer Beatrys Ruiz Aylon of the State University of Maringá received the Extensionist award for her Manna Team project promoting digital inclusion and programming education, reinforcing workforce development. Independent inventor Gustavo Camargo Domingues created an AI assistant supporting visually impaired individuals.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Professor Sueli Edi Rufini for her significant contributions in strengthening Paraná's science and education system. Secretary Aldo Nelson Bona emphasized the government's commitment to science as a catalyst for economic and social growth, celebrating the dedication of researchers transforming knowledge into practical development.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.