Dr. Fugolin is a dentist-scientist whose research for the past 14 years has focused on polymers development and characterization. She earned her D.D.S. from Piracicaba Dental School - UNICAMP, obtained her M.S. and Ph.D. in dental materials also from UNICAMP with an internship period at Oregon Health & Science University, where she returned to take her postdoctoral training in biomaterials and biomechanics. Her training was marked by the continuous expansion of her research skills and the broadening of her research interests, which are highlighted not only by the more of forty scientific papers and book chapters she has published on a great variety of topics but the introduction of new paradigms. She has worked on the development of degradation resistant compounds, polymerization stress-reducing and toughness-optimizing additives, and polymers with antimicrobial properties. Her recent projects are focused on the design, synthesis and characterization of self-healing biomaterials and bio-responsive platforms for on-demand delivery of therapeutic agents.