Research Clusters

The Brasillinois Research Clusters are collaborative groups that are led by University of Illinois faculty from all three of the University of Illinois campuses for faculty from all three campuses to give a space for research and collaboration to connect them with various opportunities in Brazil from research opportunities to the facilitation of cultural events.

Climate and Sustainability 

This cluster fosters collaborative research in food security, water resources, the bioeconomy, and atmospheric sciences. With a geographic emphasis on the Amazon region and the states of São Paulo, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul, activities are carried out in partnership with Brazilian universities and research foundations. The cluster chair is Dr. Mary Arends-Kuenning of the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Building on Illinois’ long standing expertise in crop sciences, sustainability, and environmental research, this area remains a cornerstone of cooperation between Illinois and Brazil. Recent achievements include the awarding of competitive grants for water management research in Brazil, facilitated by research exchanges supported through Brasillinois.

Public Health and Medicine 

This cluster is dedicated to improving health outcomes and life expectancy in both urban and rural communities in Illinois and Brazil. The cluster chairs are Dr. Janet Jokela of internal medicine at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Dr. Janet Lin of emergency medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine at Chicago. Major initiatives include the development of cohort collaborative studies and the advancement of health and well-being in various efforts. The work draws upon robust research collaborations involving the UIC College of Medicine, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) College of Applied Health Sciences, the UIUC College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Grainger College of Engineering, six additional health sciences colleges at UIC – College of Applied Health Sciences, College of Dentistry, College of Nursing, Retzky College of Pharmacy, School of Public Health, and the Jane Addams School of Social Workand the UIC School of Public Health, in close coordination with Fiocruz FIOCRUZ—Brazil’s national public health institute,—and Brazilian state funding agencies such as FAPESP and FAPERGS, and state and federal universities and institutions. Recent engagement highlights include faculty participation as invited speakers at the Fiocruz FIOCRUZ Symposium on Aging and Metabolic Disorders.

Democracy and Inclusion 

This cluster promotes student mobility, global learning, and joint research in public administration, social sciences, and the humanities with a focus on democratic institutions and social inclusion. Important collaborations across the cluster include with the Brazilian Ministry of Education and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), as well as Brazilian universities including the University of São Paulo and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. Projects address contemporary and historical dimensions of democracy, social inclusion, and constitutional law in Brazil and the United States. Noteworthy recent activities include the sponsorship of a Brazilian Film Festival event at the University of Illinois Chicago, advancing cross-cultural engagement and academic exchange. The cluster chair is Dr. Jennifer Olson of the College of Education at the University of Illinois Chicago.