Dr. Drauzio Rangel | Microbiology | Outstanding Scientist Award
Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
Dr. Drauzio Eduardo Naretto Rangel is an accomplished Brazilian microbiologist and affiliated professor at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP). With a career that spans over four decades in microbiology, fungal physiology, and biological control, Dr. Rangel is internationally recognized for his contributions to the study of entomopathogenic fungi and fungal stress responses. He has also held key academic positions across several Brazilian universities and has actively fostered international collaboration in fungal biology.
Profile
Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Rangel’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Universidade São Francisco in 1983. He pursued a Master’s in Microbiology (2000) at Universidade Estadual Paulista, where he studied the virulence of fungal pathogens against insect pests. His passion for fungal biology and biocontrol culminated in a Ph.D. in Microbiology (2006) from Utah State University, USA, under the mentorship of Dr. Donald W. Roberts. His doctoral dissertation focused on the genetic and phenotypic variability of Metarhizium anisopliae, especially its tolerance to UV-B radiation and heat.
Professional Endeavors
Dr. Drauzio Eduardo Naretto Rangel’s career reflects a dynamic blend of academic leadership, research innovation, and multidisciplinary experience. He has held several significant academic positions, including serving as a Full Visiting Professor (2022–2024) at the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), where he focused primarily on research activities. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor (2018–2022) at Universidade Brasil, and an Associate Visiting Professor (2016–2018) at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), maintaining a consistent balance of teaching and research responsibilities. From 2007 to 2015, he contributed to both pedagogy and research as an Assistant Professor at the Universidade do Vale do Paraíba. Earlier in his career, Dr. Rangel was a postdoctoral fellow and research assistant at Utah State University, where he participated in biocontrol initiatives such as the management of Mormon crickets using entomopathogenic fungi. Beyond academia, his early professional life included roles as a biologist, ecotourism guide, and even a graphic designer, reflecting a versatile and multidisciplinary skill set that has enriched his scientific perspective and teaching approach.
Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Rangel’s research focuses on fungal stress physiology, particularly the responses of fungi to UV radiation and thermal stress, as well as the virulence mechanisms of insect-pathogenic fungi. He is especially known for his work on biological control applications involving Metarhizium anisopliae and related species. His studies operate at the intersection of microbiology, ecology, and photobiology, offering valuable insights into how fungal pathogens adapt to environmental challenges, with implications for sustainable pest management and agricultural biotechnology.
Impact and Influence
A pioneer in fungal stress biology, Dr. Rangel is the founder and chairperson of the International Symposium on Fungal Stress (ISFUS), now in its sixth edition (2026). His leadership has placed Brazil at the forefront of global discussions on fungal responses to environmental challenges. Through extensive collaborations, he has built strong academic networks across Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia.
Academic Contributions and Citations
Dr. Rangel is widely cited in the fields of invertebrate pathology and environmental microbiology, having published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. He has received accolades for his peer review contributions from prominent journals like Fungal Biology and the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology.
Research Skills
Dr. Rangel possesses strong technical expertise in both molecular and phenotypic analysis of fungi, with a focus on understanding their adaptive mechanisms. He is skilled in conducting UV radiation experiments and stress tolerance assays, which are central to his research on fungal resilience. His work also includes extensive field and laboratory studies on fungal biocontrol, particularly targeting agricultural pests. In addition to his scientific capabilities, he has significant experience in research coordination, grant acquisition, and the organization of major scientific events, demonstrating his leadership in the academic community.
Teaching ExperienceDr. Rangel has decades of teaching experience across all levels, from high school science education to graduate-level microbiology and biotechnology. He has held faculty roles at multiple Brazilian universities, typically balancing 20–40% teaching with 60–80% research responsibilities. His courses often integrate applied microbiology, biocontrol, and photobiology.
Awards and Honors
He is a four-time recipient of Brazil’s prestigious CNPq Research Productivity Fellowship (PQ 1D and PQ 2) (2011–2026). Other notable recognitions include:
-
Outstanding Reviewer Award from Fungal Biology (2015),
-
Excellence in Reviewing Award from the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology (2014).
Grants and Funding
Dr. Rangel has successfully secured over US$ 750,000 in research funding, reflecting his strong track record in academic grant acquisition. His projects have received major support from prestigious institutions including FAPESP (State of São Paulo Research Foundation), CNPq (Brazilian National Council), CAPES, Embrapa, and The Rockefeller Foundation. These funds have been instrumental in advancing his research in fungal biology and biocontrol, as well as in organizing high-impact scientific symposia, notably the International Symposium on Fungal Stress (ISFUS) and the International Fungal Biology Conference (IFBC).
Legacy and Future ContributionsDr. Rangel’s legacy is marked by his tireless promotion of fungal stress biology and international scientific exchange. Through ISFUS and ongoing research at UNIFESP, he continues to shape future directions in fungal biotechnology, biocontrol, and microbial resilience to climate change. His future contributions will likely focus on developing novel strategies to harness fungal organisms for sustainable agriculture and environmental management.
Top Noted Publications
Physiological stress tolerance responses of the dung decomposer fungus Mucor circinelloides
- Authors: Acheampong, M. A., B. Pupin, L. P. Dias, M. P. Santos, L. O. Bernardes, M. S. Pinheiro, P. C. Ferreira, A. Mikaelyan, H. R. Medina, A. Alder-Rangel, and D. E. N. Rangel
Journal: Fungal Biology
Year: 2025
Metarhizium acridum exhibits a different conidial hydrophobicity than other insect-pathogenic fungi
- Authors: Medina, H. R., and D. E. N. Rangel
Journal: Fungal Biology
Year: 2025
Light enhances the production of conidia and influences their hydrophobicity in Tolypocladium inflatum
- Authors: Medina, H. R., and D. E. N. Rangel
Journal: Fungal Biology
Year: 2025
Proteomics in Metarhizium parasitism of arthropods
- Authors: Saciloto-de-Oliveira, L. R., C. Innocente-Alves, J. de Fraga Sant’Ana, A. L. Marques, A. Schrank, D. E. N. Rangel, L. Santi, and W. O. Beys-da-Silva
Journal: Fungal Biology Reviews
Year: 2025
Leading developments in basic research on aspergillosis and mucormycosis
- Authors: Sarkar, A., D. E. N. Rangel, and N. Osherov
Journal: Fungal Biology
Year: 2025
