28/05/2024

'Never give up on your dreams,' says IMPA Tech student.

Born in Caratinga, in the interior of Minas Gerais, 23-year-old Maira Merces Costa Araujo never imagined she would participate in such a landmark moment for Brazilian mathematics as the inauguration of IMPA Tech in April 2024. Alongside President Lula and IMPA's Director-General, Marcelo Viana, Maira was on stage and celebrated the start of the academic year for the Bachelor's degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation at Porto Maravalley. "It still hasn't sunk in yet," she said.

At the age of 2, Maira moved to Inhapim (MG), where she grew up and studied until completing high school in the public school system, at the Doutor Guilhermino De Oliveira State School. Maira always had an aptitude for learning new things, but it was her teachers who encouraged her participation in the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools) in the 6th grade of elementary school, in 2012. The student, who had never participated in other knowledge olympiads, advanced to the 2nd phase of the competition and won a bronze medal.

From then on, Maira became involved with the Olympiad and participated in every edition of the OBMEP until she finished high school. Each year brought a new achievement: she won 7 medals in total, 4 silver and 3 bronze .

In 2019, she began a degree in Mathematics at UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), thanks to the scientific initiation scholarship she received. Maira said that the financial support received from PICME (OBMEP's Scientific Initiation and Master's Program) was fundamental in enabling her stay in the city.

“My choice was greatly influenced by my achievements in the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools). I decided to study at UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) because of its proximity to IMPA (Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics). So, if I wanted to pursue an academic career in mathematics, I would already be in Rio de Janeiro to start my master's and then my doctorate. I thought it would be a good place,” she stated.

After a few years at UFRJ, Maira had to leave the university in 2022 to take care of her health. “I wasn’t able to continue with the PICME program and my undergraduate studies. And it was the scientific initiation scholarship that allowed me to stay in Rio. So, I returned to Caratinga because my family had moved back there, and I stayed working,” she stated.

The following year, with the announcement of IMPA Tech, a new opportunity arose. With financial aid and guaranteed housing for students, Maira was thrilled with the news. “When IMPA Tech was announced, with the scholarship, I saw an opportunity because it was the only chance to study without working. It's very complicated to juggle both; the time for dedication isn't the same. Nowadays, the aid is fundamental for me to stay here,” she added.

Despite the difficulties, Maira stated that maintaining a daily study routine is very important for success in her subjects. Practical classes are also a highlight of the degree, with laboratories and technological equipment. "Here, I can conduct experiments with higher quality and precision. The results are faster and more accurate," she said.

Now studying Mathematics of Technology and Innovation, the student sees her future with more hope. Maira wants to specialize in Computer Science or Data Science and, after graduation, hopes to work in technology companies or pursue an academic career.

The student from Minas Gerais said that studying through the OBMEP Portal was fundamental to her development in the field, and she offered advice to students who also wish to study mathematics. “Being interested is very important. Never give up on your dreams right at the beginning. I think what makes us get where we are is how interested we are in it. Despite the challenges, it's interest that makes us pursue it,” she concluded.