Scientist Ohara Augusto, a professor at Departamento de Bioquímica of the Instituto de Química at Universidade de São Paulo (USP), was awarded the Rheinboldt-Hauptman Prize by her outstanding scientific contributions by the Instituto de Química (USP).

"I am honored to receive such an award, that has acquired prestige for always honoring Brazilian chemists and biochemists recognized in Brazil and abroad," said the scientist.

"For us, it is a pride to reward a woman today. We hope that Augusto’s example of success and academic competence will inspire young students inclined to pursue a scientific career," said the director of the Instituto de Química, Paolo Di Mascio. The ceremony was chaired by Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Jr., USP Post-Graduation Dean; Paolo Di Mascio, IQ Director; Pedro V. de Oliveira, IQ vice Director; Maurício S. Baptista, head of the Department of Biochemistry; Josef W. Baader, head of the Department of Fundamental Chemistry; and attended by researchers, staff, students, alumni and guests.

At her conference, entitled "Life, Health and Disease: A Complex Dance of Electrons," Ohara lamented the low female representation among those who received the prize. Out of 32 award-winning scientists, only three are women: Blanca Wladislaw, Shirley Schreier, and Ohara Augusto. "Knowing so many extremely competent chemists and biochemists, I hope that the female representation in this and other awards will grow rapidly in the coming years," he said.

By tracing the history of research in redox processes, the scientist showed the evolution of the concept of free radicals and oxidants, which were initially considered deleterious and are now considered mediators of physiological and pathological circuits. She said also that she is very proud to be a member of the Center for Research of Redox Processes in Biomedicine (RIDC Redoxoma). "It's a fantastic group that works together to elucidate redox mechanisms that are relevant to health and disease. After all, the redox processes choreograph the complex dance of electrons for health or disease."

Ohara Augusto is a Full Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química, USP. Since her graduate studies she has been working on the biochemistry of oxidants and free radicals, as well as on Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) applications in biomedicine.

With over 140 articles published in prestigious scientific journals and several national and international awards throughout her career, she is currently director of the Center for Research of Redox Processes in Biomedicine (RIDC Redoxoma). She is also a full member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Sciences of the State of São Paulo, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), and Order of Scientific Merit - Commander. She is a Fellow of the Society for Redox Biology and Medicine (SFRBM), and was an Associate Editor of Free Radical Biology and Medicine from 2013 to 2018.

The Rheinboldt-Hauptmann Prize was created in 1987 and named after German Professors Heinrich Rheinboldt and Heinrich Hauptmann, founders of the Department of Chemistry of the former Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences, and Letters of USP, and played an important role in the nucleation of the Institute of Chemistry and its two Departments since 1970.