In 1968, the Federal Council of Education accredited the Graduate Program in Biochemistry at the Institute of Biological Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. From an almost utopian beginning, the Graduate Program in Biochemistry evolved into the current program, which has been rated level 7 by CAPES—the highest level of excellence.
The program has maintained a prominent presence both nationally and internationally due to its scientific contributions and to the large number of highly qualified professionals trained through its Master's and Doctoral courses. These contributions are regularly published in national and international indexed journals and presented at scientific conferences in Brazil and abroad.
In terms of training personnel, between 1970—when the first Master's degree was awarded to Emília Margarita Maldonado Ruiz de Arrieta, with a Peruvian nationality—and the present day, 601 Master's dissertations and 551 Doctoral theses have been approved. Equally important is the fact that alumni of the program currently hold positions in some of the most important academic or biotechnology centers, not only in Minas Gerais (Alfenas, Belo Horizonte, Diamantina, Governador Valadares, Juiz de Fora, Montes Claros, Ouro Preto, Uberaba, Uberlândia, Viçosa), but also in other states (Alagoas, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Paraíba, Piauí, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo) and countries (USA, France, England), where they carry out teaching and research activities at public or private higher education institutions, research institutes, or companies.
We extend our heartfelt recognition to the four founders of the Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Immunology—Professors Carlos Diniz, Giovanni Gazzinelli, Marcos Luiz dos Mares Guia, and Enio Cardillo Vieira—who planted the seed that gave rise to our program.
 Carlos Diniz 1919-2002 |
 Giovanni Gazzinelli 1927-2020 |
 Marcos Luiz dos Mares Guia 1935 – 2002 |
 Enio Cardillo Vieira 1933-2022 |
