DASNR
International
Student of the Week
Home Country: Brazil
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: Brasil or República Federativa do Brasil), is the largest and most populous country in Latin America, and the fifth largest in the world in both area and population. Its territory covers 8,514,877 km² between central South America and the Atlantic Ocean, and it is the eastern-most country of the Americas.
Brazil borders Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and the department of French Guiana to the north, Uruguay to the south, Argentina and Paraguay to the southwest, Bolivia and Peru to the west, and Colombia to the northwest. The only South American countries not bordered by Brazil are Ecuador and Chile. The Brazilian coastline covers 7,367 km to the east.
A tropical climate is predominant. In the south of the country, a subtropical climate prevails. Brazil is cut through by the Equator and Tropic of Capricorn. It is home to varied fauna and flora and extensive natural resources (Source Wikipedia).
Source: Wikipedia.com
Alexandre Mello
September 2007
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From the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology... This week’s international student of the week is Alexandre Furtado Silveira Mello. He is a PhD student in Plant Pathology. Alex was born in Brazil; he speaks three languages, Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Alex is a member of the American Pathological Society. His research is related to citrus and he is working for a project with the USDA in California and OSU. He spends part of his time doing research in California. Alex has presented his research papers in different conferences around the USA and also in Canada and England ( Cambridge). He is going to Turkey in October, and he is planning to submit his paper for conferences in China and Italy (he is still looking for some funds to do so). In his free time Alex likes to have fun with friends and when possible travel around the USA. He came to the USA to learn new techniques in his area of research, to increase his research network, and to practice and improve the English language. He chose OSU because he wanted to be Dr. Fletcher’s student; she is a well known researcher worldwide due to her expertise and also her involvement in security. Alex’s expects to conclude his studies in September 2008. After that he wants to pursue a Post doctoral program in the USA. His major goal is to return to Brazil when he feels his curriculum is competitive enough to apply for a good position there. He thinks this will take him three more years.
In the photo above, Alex is shown with his extended family in Brazil Alex is the older of two children. He has a sister who has two daughters; his sister and his father are in Brazil waiting for him. He is happy because his family has always supported him in all his decisions and choices. Alex states “If someone asks them what I do maybe they would not know precisely, however they really support me and believe in what I am doing.” Alex has been very persistent to join Dr. Fletcher's lab, his first attempt to join it failed because of the lack of funding. He was frustrated because he spent all his money taking tests (GRE and TOELF) so he decided to enroll for a PhD in Brazil. Two years after that he heard about a new opportunity with Dr. Fletcher, so he did not think twice and started the new process to come to OSU. Advisor: Dr. Jacqueline Fletcher Alex's advice for other international students: The USA has a lot of opportunities for international students both professional and cultural. To be successful here you just have to open your eyes and be ready for the opportunities.
Interview by Sandra Rodriguez, International Ag Programs Assistant
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