The Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) received around 170 members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) during the XXI National Meeting of Student Branches and XII National Meeting of Young Professionals of IEEE Brazil, hosted by the Federal University of Rio Grande do North (UFRN), between May 30th and June 2nd. The meeting took place on Friday (31), at the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience (IIN-ELS), an ISD unit in Macaíba/RN.
A Scientific Initiation Student at ISD since 2021, Gabriel Borges develops projects with IEEE as an undergraduate student in Science and Technology at UFRN. He says that the visit was a unique opportunity for participants from 27 universities in Brazil to learn how engineering and biology can work together.
“This was a great chance to show that the Brazilian Northeast also produces cutting-edge knowledge and has incredible brains. IEEE's motto is to generate technology for the benefit of humanity and this was the great learning acquired through the visit, several students were excited about the idea of returning to their universities, joining efforts and developing technologies that unite biology, medicine and engineering”, he said.
The audience, made up of young professionals and undergraduate and postgraduate students, was welcomed by the IIN-ELS manager, Edgard Morya, who presented the research in neurosciences and neuroengineering carried out by the Institute.
The host spoke about the interdisciplinarity of research and the multiple possibilities for applying engineering knowledge, highlighting less obvious areas of study for students. “Engineer, doctor, computer scientist, whatever, everyone is working with Science here. You can do everything to improve Science in this country”, he emphasized.
Then, the visitors divided into groups, guided by ISD technicians and master's students, to visit the IIN-ELS facilities. The structure has a Human Electrophysiology and Human-Machine Interface Laboratory; Microscopy Laboratory; Neuroengineering Laboratory; and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory. The team also presented the therapeutic gym and equipment such as the Lokomat and Zero G.
Open Labs
The Santos Dumont Institute is able to receive researchers from outside the institution, who can submit requests to use the available infrastructure in the areas of Neuroscience, Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation.
The Institute also has a team of qualified technicians, available to assist in conducting experiments. Thus, ISD intends to encourage the sharing of infrastructure and contribute to the strengthening of Science in Brazil.
About IEEE
Created in 1884, in the USA, IEEE is an international technical-professional society dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of engineering in the fields of electricity, electronics and computing. The entity brings together more than 410,000 members, including engineers, scientists, researchers and other professionals, in around 160 countries.
About ISD
The Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) is a Social Organization linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC) and includes the Edmond and Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute and the Anita Garibaldi Center for Health Education and Research, both in Macaíba. ISD's mission is to promote education for life, forming citizens through integrated teaching, research and extension actions, in addition to contributing to a fairer and more humane transformation of Brazilian social reality.
