Mayara Rezende

Biography and Expertise of Mayara Rezende

Dr. Mayara Rezende is a pharmacist with a PhD in Public Health whose work is situated at the intersection of regulatory science, innovation, and biodiversity. She currently serves in key advisory and academic roles at the Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Health (CIBS), a part of the esteemed Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz institution in Brazil. Her career is dedicated to establishing robust regulatory pathways for herbal medicines, ensuring they meet rigorous standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.

Her expertise directly aligns with the congress’s Thematic Axis, “Integration of TCIM into Healthcare Systems.” Dr. Rezende’s focus on regulation, intellectual property, and the use of real-world data is fundamental for formally incorporating biodiversity-based medicines into national health frameworks. Furthermore, her work is a practical application of the principles from the Gujarat Declaration, which emphasizes the importance of science and evidence in validating and scaling traditional medicine practices.

Through her roles at Fiocruz, Mayara Rezende contributes to innovation in phytomedicines, supporting the development of new health products derived from Brazil’s biodiversity. Her efforts help translate traditional knowledge and natural resources into scientifically validated therapeutic options, which supports the congress motto pillar of “Knowledge Diversity” and its commitment to sustainable health solutions.

Professional Career and Current Roles

The professional trajectory of Mayara Rezende reflects a deep commitment to advancing the field of biodiversity-based medicines within Brazil’s premier public health institution, Fiocruz. Her current positions place her at the center of strategy, innovation, and education related to phytomedicines. These roles require a unique combination of scientific knowledge, regulatory acumen, and strategic planning to navigate the complexities of developing and integrating new health products.

As a leader within Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz, she is actively involved in shaping the future of health innovation derived from natural products. Moreover, her work ensures that this innovation is grounded in sound regulatory principles and contributes to the broader public health mission of the institution. Her multifaceted career demonstrates a comprehensive approach to the field.

• General Advisor to the Coordination of the Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Health (CIBS/Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz): In this strategic role, she provides high-level guidance on the center’s direction, overseeing initiatives that promote innovation in health products derived from biodiversity.
• Consultant in the area of Innovation in Biodiversity-Based Medicines: As a subject matter expert, she advises on specific projects and policies related to the development, regulation, and market entry of medicines based on natural products, leveraging her extensive knowledge in the field.
• Professor of Regulatory Affairs, Biodiversity-Based Medicines Innovation Program: This academic role allows Mayara Rezende to educate the next generation of professionals. She teaches the complexities of regulatory affairs for phytomedicines, contributing to the congress’s Thematic Axis on “TCIM Education and Training.”

Academic Qualifications of Mayara Rezende

Dr. Mayara Rezende‘s academic background is a strong, interdisciplinary foundation for her work in public health and regulatory science. Her education builds from pharmacy to advanced specializations in oncology, innovation management, and public health. This diverse training enables her to address integrating herbal medicines into healthcare from multiple perspectives, including molecular biology, industrial innovation, and population health.

This comprehensive academic journey equips her to analyze complex scientific data, understand industrial development processes, and formulate public health policies. Her qualifications are ideally suited for her leadership roles at the intersection of science, regulation, and health innovation.

• PhD in Public Health: From the National School of Public Health (ENSP/FIOCRUZ), this terminal degree provides expertise in population health, health policy, and the systems-level thinking required to integrate new therapeutic modalities into the public health framework.
• Master’s Degree in Oncology with an emphasis on Molecular Biology: This degree provides a deep understanding of disease mechanisms at a molecular level, a crucial foundation for evaluating the efficacy and safety of new medicines, including phytomedicines.
• Specialization in Innovation Management in Phytomedicines and Regulatory Affairs: This specialized training addresses her core professional focus, combining innovation with the practical requirements of regulatory science for herbal products.
• Degree in Pharmacy: As a qualified pharmacist, she possesses foundational knowledge of pharmacology, drug formulation, and quality control, essential for her subsequent work in the pharmaceutical and regulatory sectors.

Focus on Regulatory Science and Evidence Integration

The research and professional focus of Mayara Rezende centers on critical areas that enable the safe and effective integration of traditional and herbal medicines into modern healthcare. Her work is not just theoretical; it addresses the practical challenges of translating biodiversity into approved, accessible health solutions. She concentrates on creating robust frameworks that can support innovation while safeguarding public health.

A significant aspect of her expertise involves intellectual property management for biodiversity-based products. This is crucial for promoting innovation and ensuring that the benefits of Brazil’s natural heritage are developed sustainably and ethically. Consequently, her work in this area helps create a viable ecosystem for research and development in phytomedicines.

Furthermore, a key area of her contribution is the integration of real-world data and real-world evidence into regulatory decision-making. This modern approach to regulation is vital for herbal medicines, where traditional use data can be supplemented with structured data from clinical practice to build a comprehensive case for safety and efficacy. This focus positions Mayara Rezende at the forefront of regulatory science and directly supports the evidence-based principles of the 3rd WCTCIM.

Advisory and Academic Leadership

Within Fiocruz, a leading institution for science and technology in health in Latin America, Dr. Mayara Rezende holds significant advisory and academic leadership positions. These roles underscore her influence in shaping the strategy and execution of programs related to biodiversity, health innovation, and regulatory science. Her involvement is integral to the institutional mission of advancing public health through scientific research and development.

These internal leadership functions are critical for steering complex projects and ensuring that academic programs align with both national health priorities and international scientific standards. Therefore, her work within these structures is essential for building institutional capacity and fostering an environment of innovation. The contributions of Mayara Rezende in these roles help solidify Fiocruz’s position as a reference center for phytomedicines.

• Strategic Advisory at CIBS: As the General Advisor to the Coordination of the Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Health, she plays a central role in guiding the center’s research agenda and innovation pipeline, connecting scientific discovery with public health needs.
• Expert Consultancy: In her capacity as a Consultant, she provides targeted expertise on the scientific and regulatory hurdles associated with developing biodiversity-based medicines, offering solutions that are both innovative and compliant with established standards.
• Educational Program Development: As a Professor of Regulatory Affairs, she is directly involved in designing and delivering curriculum that builds critical competencies in a highly specialized field, thereby strengthening the human resource capacity for the entire sector.

Further Information on Mayara Rezende

To gain a deeper understanding of Dr. Mayara Rezende‘s scientific contributions, including her publication record and research projects, her official ORCID profile serves as a comprehensive resource. This profile offers a verified list of her academic work and professional activities, providing valuable insights into her expertise in public health, regulatory affairs, and innovation in phytomedicines.

Exploring this profile is recommended for congress attendees and colleagues interested in the specific outputs of her research and her collaborative network. It provides a direct link to the evidence base she has helped to build throughout her distinguished career at Fiocruz.

ORCID Profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1287-0316