Doctor Fabio Aguiar Alves, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Palm Beach Atlantic University’s (PBA) Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy, was selected as a rising star in his field by the Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL) on November 1, 2024.
ASEMFL is an organization dedicated to highlighting the achievements of individuals in the fields of science, engineering and medicine who are investigating matters concerning Florida residents and ensuring future generations find science-based solutions for their community. ASEMFL nominated Alves as one of its Rising Stars of 2024 because of his work in epidemiology, studying how a disease spreads through a population. His work focused on bacterial pathogenesis, the early development stages of a disease, and the detection of the COVID-19 virus. The nomination also highlights his service as a mentor to over 50 of his students at PBA, who nominated him last year as the university’s Teacher of the Year.
“I didn’t necessarily always have a passion for science, but I always had a passion for becoming a teacher. I taught middle school students in high school, teaching math, biology, and general sciences,” said Alves.
Alves, originally from Brazil, first became interested in science when he took an immunology course with a passionate teacher. However, when he went to pharmacy school, he realized he was even more fascinated by biochemistry. In particular, he was interested in molecular biology, which covers various facets of DNA and RNA.
Alves’ faith as a Christian has significantly influenced his understanding of science. He theorizes that certain concepts are more straightforward to comprehend if one has a foundational belief, such as God creating the universe. In his lectures, he points out how the complexity and harmony in nature clearly point to a superior being as a creator versus theories that the natural world happened due to massive coincidences.
One of the biggest challenges Alves faces when teaching is finding the time to create presentations and lesson plans that break down the complex intricacies of biochemistry into digestible information for his students. He is dedicated to being proficient in every concept he covers, so he knows how to guide students’ learning. Alves says the time invested in preparing for students helps teachers be more than just okay at their jobs; it enables them to give the students their best. Because of his efforts, Alves has been able to learn constantly from the questions and feedback in his classes.
Alves fell in love with PBA’s friendly, optimistic environment. He was surprised by the students’ passion for learning. He appreciates how his students are healthily competitive in their studies, but still wish their peers the best.
“People want to do well; people also want you to do well. So, the competition is more internal because you’re competing with yourself. Can you be a better person? Can you be a better researcher? Can you be a better teacher?” said Alves.
To learn more about PBA’s Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy, click here.
