Welcome to our ‘Member in the Spotlight’ series, where we showcase the research focuses and work of our members. We hope these profiles support you in getting to know our members and to identify themes in your work and focuses where you may be able to collaborate with colleagues at member institutions.

Introducing…Unviersidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Who are Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte?

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) is a leading educational and research institution based in Natal, Brazil. Their mission is to promote excellence in teaching and research and to foster sustainable and inclusive growth and development in society. UFRN is committed to innovation, social responsibility and sustainable development.

UFRN undertakes collaborative work with partners and collaborators from around 25 educational institutions within Brazil and 90 more worldwide.

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte’s Campus.

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Campus

What are their research focuses?

UFRN delivers their research within the socioeconomic interests of the region under strategic areas like regional development, sustainable conservation, energy focuses, health and governance public policies, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.

Its research is organised into several interdisciplinary cores which include:

Advancement of Public Policies
Studies in Collective Health and Nutrition
Agriculture and Fishing
Education for Sciences
Studies for Marine Resources
Studies for Oil and Renewable Energies
Environmental Studies
Disaster Research
Studies in Sexual Diversity, Gender and Human Rights

Read more about UFRN’s research stories here.

UFRN and the WTUN

Professor José Daniel Melo, Rector at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

General Board Member: Professor José Daniel Diniz Melo, Rector of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Operational Board Member: Professor Bruno Motta, Department of International Relations at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

UFRN, as a member, has been involved in several WTUN activities from hosting and sending applicants on exchanges on themes such as: Computing; Artificial Intelligence; Music for Game Design; Urban Livability Index; and Gender Based Violence.

If you want to learn more about UFRN, you can view their Member Profile or read some recent stories we have shared in our news roundups about their work:

Dentistry and Engineering researchers collaborate to develop an application to assist the diagnosis of periodontal bone loss which can lead to loss of teeth.
A collaborative project explores climate change in Brazilian urban areas and strives to improve the quality of life in coastal cities within the region.
MEG: Girls in Engineering is a community outreach project which works to narrow the gender gap in young adults and teenagers in STEM.