Karina Carneiro

Karina Carneiro’s story is a testament to creativity and representation. Like something out of a science fiction novel, Carneiro’s lab at the University of Toronto is designing biomaterials out of DNA that could prompt wounds to heal themselves. Dagwin Wachholz Júnior interviewed Carneiro about her passion for chemistry and regenerative medicine, her unique position working among dentists, and her advice for young Latin American researchers. This interview was edited for length and clarity. Dagwin Wachholz Júnior: You are originally from Brazil, but now you work at the University of Toronto. What brought you to Canada, and how did that move shape your career? Karina Carneiro: I was born in Brazil, but when I was 16, I participated in an exchange student program in the US. At the time, I thought I would return to Brazil to continue my education. But while I was abroad, I developed a passion for studying