Rebeca Vieira de Lima holds a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Centro Universitário Central Paulista (2020) and a Master's degree in Biotechnology from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) (2023). She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biotechnology at UFSCar (2023–2027), developing her research project within the Biophotonics Group at the São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo (USP), under the supervision of Professor Dr. Vanderlei Bagnato and co-supervision of Professor Dr. Kate Blanco. Her research focuses on Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy and Bacterial Resistance, with an emphasis on the interaction between bacteria and the tumor microenvironment, aiming to develop innovative strategies to prevent the progression of pre-neoplastic lesions into skin cancer. Throughout her academic career, she has completed two scientific research internships: one on the cryopreservation of microalgae at the Phycology Laboratory – UFSCar, and another on the internalization of curcumin as a photosensitizer in bacterial oral biofilms at the São Carlos Institute of Physics – USP. Her work has contributed to publications addressing topics such as photodynamic inactivation of resistant bacteria in pure and mixed cultures, microbial ecology, laboratory biosafety practices, and the educational use of urban green spaces.

Kate Cristina Blanco holds a bachelor's degree in Biomedicine from the University of Araraquara. She earned her master's (2009) and doctorate (2013) degrees in Microbiology from Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Blanco completed her postdoctoral research with the São Carlos Institute of Physics (IFSC) at the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor at IFSC-USP, working at the Optics and Photonics Research Center (CEPOF). Her research focuses on applying optical properties in biological systems to develop products and processes for treating diseases caused by microorganisms. Blanco has authored numerous publications on microbiology and photodynamic therapy, including studies on curcumin as a photosensitizer and antibacterial photodynamic inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Her work has been recognized with several citations, reflecting her contributions to the field.

Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato holds a bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of São Paulo (USP) and in Materials Engineering from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), both completed in 1981. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1987. Currently, he is a Full Professor at USP and served as the director of the Institute of Physics of São Carlos from 2018 to 2022. Bagnato has published approximately 700 specialized journal articles, authored 29 book chapters, and written seven books. He has supervised over 100 master's and doctoral theses in fields such as Physics, Dentistry, and Medicine. His research focuses on Atomic Physics and the applications of optics in health sciences, including work with cold atoms, Bose-Einstein condensates, and photodynamic actions in cancer treatment and microbial control. Bagnato is a member of several esteemed organizations, including the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences of the Vatican, and the National Academy of Sciences in the USA. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and honors, such as the National Order of Scientific Merit and the CBMM Science and Technology Award.