Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro

Biography and Expertise of Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro

Dr. Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between advanced pharmaceutical science and accessible public healthcare. Her professional journey is marked by a unique blend of academic depth, industrial innovation, and a profound commitment to community well-being. This combination positions her as a pivotal voice in the dialogue on traditional and integrative medicine, particularly within the context of national health systems. Her leadership in Jardinópolis, São Paulo, translates complex scientific concepts into tangible benefits for the population.

Her most significant contribution, the “Farmácia da Natureza” project, is a landmark initiative that directly embodies the 3rd WCTCIM’s thematic axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems.” By cultivating medicinal plants and dispensing phytotherapeutics through the public primary care network, she provides a scalable and sustainable model. This work showcases how knowledge diversity, a key pillar of the congress motto, can be harnessed to strengthen public health. Therefore, her expertise is central to the discussions on implementing the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034.

Furthermore, the experience of Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro serves as a powerful case study for South-South collaboration. The principles behind her project offer a replicable framework for other municipalities in Latin America and beyond, promoting health sovereignty and valuing local biodiversity. Her work is a testament to the principles of the Gujarat Declaration, emphasizing the critical role of scientific evidence in validating and integrating traditional practices for the benefit of all.

Professional Career

Dr. Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro’s career reflects a progression from academic roles to significant public and industrial leadership across academia, corporate R&D, and municipal governance. This experience provides a holistic understanding of the phytotherapeutic value chain, from cultivation to policy. Each role has equipped her to navigate complex regulatory, scientific, and political landscapes, informing her current leadership as Secretary of Health with decades of experience in science and management.

• Secretary of Health, Jardinópolis/SP (2021–present): Leads the municipal health system, overseeing public health policies, resource management, and implementing integrative practices.
• Coordinator, “Farmácia da Natureza” Project (current): Leads a project with the University of Ribeirão Preto and Ministry of Health to establish a municipal program for cultivating and dispensing medicinal plants.
• Director of Research & Development, Folha Nativa Cosmetics (current): Directs the R&D division, applying her phytotherapeutic expertise to develop natural cosmetic products.
• Administrative Director, APL of Health Industries (2014–2017): Managed a regional health industry cluster, fostering collaboration between companies, research institutions, and government to drive development.
• General Manager – Industrial Sector, University of Marília (1994–2009): Oversaw the university’s industrial pharmacy, including a drug production line, translating research into pharmaceutical products.

Academic Qualifications

The academic foundation of Dr. Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro is firmly rooted in the rigorous scientific disciplines of pharmaceutical sciences and genetics, obtained from some of Brazil’s most prestigious universities. Her education provided her with a deep, molecular-level understanding of biological systems and the technical expertise to develop safe and effective therapeutic products. This strong scientific background is the bedrock of her credibility and success in promoting evidence-based integrative medicine.

Her focused doctoral research on phytotherapeutic development specifically prepared her to lead initiatives that require both traditional knowledge and modern scientific validation. This educational path has been instrumental in her ability to design and implement innovative public health programs.

• PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences – Phytotherapeutic Development (2002): Earned from São Paulo State University (UNESP), this doctorate focused on the scientific processes of transforming medicinal plants into standardized, reliable, and effective phytotherapeutic medicines.
• MSc in Biological Sciences – Genetics (1993): Completed at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Ribeirão Preto, this master’s degree provided her with a fundamental understanding of the genetic and biochemical mechanisms of living organisms.
• BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences (1988): Graduated from the University of São Paulo (USP), one of Latin America’s top universities, where she built a comprehensive foundation in pharmacy, pharmacognosy, and pharmaceutical technology.

Research and Practical Application

While Dr. Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro‘s career has evolved towards public administration, her work remains deeply informed by a research-oriented mindset. Her PhD in Phytotherapeutic Development was not merely an academic exercise but the cornerstone of her life’s work. This specialization involves the entire research pipeline: from the botanical identification and quality control of medicinal plants to the extraction of active compounds, formulation of dosage forms, and preclinical validation of efficacy and safety.

Her tenure as Director of R&D at Folha Nativa Cosmetics further honed her skills in applied research, focusing on product development, stability testing, and regulatory compliance for natural products. Beyond that, her foundational work at the University of Marília, where she developed a pharmaceutical laboratory and an industrial drug production line, showcases her capacity for building research infrastructure from the ground up. This practical experience in creating systems for production and quality control is rare and invaluable.

The “Farmácia da Natureza” project itself can be viewed as a large-scale implementation research initiative. It generates real-world evidence on the effectiveness, acceptance, and challenges of integrating phytotherapy into a public health system. Therefore, the work of Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro contributes vital, practice-based data that supports the evidence-informed goals of the Gujarat Declaration and provides a model for other health systems to follow.

Strategic and Intersectoral Leadership

Dr. Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro has demonstrated significant leadership beyond her direct professional roles, engaging in strategic initiatives that foster collaboration between government, industry, and academia. Her participation in such forums is crucial for creating a supportive ecosystem where health innovations can thrive. This work highlights her understanding that sustainable public health solutions require more than just scientific discovery; they demand robust partnerships and strategic planning.

Her role as Administrative Director of the Arranjo Produtivo Local das Indústrias da Saúde de Ribeirão Preto e Região (APL Health Industries) is a prime example of this leadership. An APL is a government-recognized cluster of enterprises and institutions in a specific territory, designed to enhance competitiveness and innovation. In this capacity, she was instrumental in coordinating activities among diverse stakeholders to strengthen the regional health industry.

This experience demonstrates the commitment of Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro to building bridges between the public and private sectors to achieve shared goals. Furthermore, as Secretary of Health, she actively participates in municipal and regional health councils, contributing to the democratic governance of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) and advocating for policies that promote integrative healthcare practices.

Connect with Dr. Dandaro

To further explore the work and professional journey of Dr. Ivanice Maria Cestari Dandaro, you can access her official profiles and learn more about the pioneering public health initiatives she leads. These resources offer additional details on her contributions to integrating phytotherapy into the Brazilian public health system.

LinkedIn Profile: Connect with Ivanice Dandaro on LinkedIn

Jardinópolis Health Secretariat: Learn About Municipal Health Initiatives