Over four days, experts discussed topics related to the world of data
The Summer School on Data Science is the first event of the year at the School | Photo: FGV EMAp
Last week, from January 21 to 24, the School of Applied Mathematics at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EMAp) once again hosted a major event on Data Science. The Summer School on Data Science explored topics such as statistics, machine learning, big data, and artificial intelligence, serving as a hub for networking and knowledge exchange among national and international experts in the field.
The program combined theoretical foundations with practical applications, featuring four mini-courses on topics such as Data Visualization, Graph Neural Networks, Network Science, and Machine Learning for Earth Observations. These sessions were led by researchers Ana Tenório (FGV EMAp), Laura Rosa (WUR, Netherlands), Nivan Ferreira (UFPE), and Suzana Santos (UFABC).
Additionally, participants attended 11 plenary lectures delivered by distinguished experts, including Andrea Britto (Microsoft), Claudio Silva (NYU), Daniel Civitarese (IBM), Deisy Gysi (UFPR), Diego Galeano (UNA, Paraguay), Erickson Nascimento (UFMG), Eduardo Laber (PUC-RJ), Gilson Costa (UERJ), João Paulo Gomes (UFC), Luis Gustavo Nonato (USP), and Vicente Ordones (Rice University).
According to Dário Oliveira, professor at FGV EMAp and one of the event coordinators, companies generate knowledge and possess financial resources, which makes them competitive with universities, traditionally a hub for ideas and talent. "We invited leading figures in data science so that students can engage with state-of-the-art advancements in the field, better define their own research projects, and push the boundaries of their area of study," emphasized Dário.
"Today, we cannot exclude these companies when discussing the state of the art in machine learning," added Dário | Photo: FGV EMAp
Knowledge that resonates in international research
According to Luis Gustavo Nonato, a professor at the Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (ICMC) at the University of São Paulo (USP), the event has become a tradition, gaining a more solid structure and more consistent participation with each edition. For him, highlighting the involvement of companies and the industry was an important differentiator in the 2025 edition. "This relationship between academia, private services, and the government will intensify even further as new players enter this scenario," he points out.
Luis Gustavo Nonato gave a lecture on timber trade networks and supply chains in Brazil | Photo: FGV EMAp
Microsoft Research, for example, was one of the market initiatives present at the Summer School on Data Science. Andrea Britto, Senior Research Software Engineer at the company, presented real-time 3D models of patients, transmitted remotely to surgeons or healthcare teams. "This project has been developed with hospitals in Scotland and Ghana, successfully promoting greater access to healthcare, especially in Africa, where access to specialized medicine is more limited," says the speaker.
Andrea gave a lecture on the first day of the Summer School | Photo: FGV EMAp
Participants' Words
Josue Malla, a student from the Universidad Técnica de Machala (Ecuador), plans to apply the knowledge gained from the event to his own research, which develops applications in business intelligence and data analysis. "I believe this event was also an opportunity to learn about other cultures and languages, in addition to making my country and my university known at international events like this one," said Malla.
FGV EMAp student Kauan Kevem is on vacation but took the opportunity to complement his knowledge at the Summer School: "It's great to participate in events like this, as I can stay updated on the opportunities and initiatives available in this field."
Kauan, centered, is a second-year student in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the School | Photo: FGV EMAp
Projections for the future
With the success of the 2025 edition, FGV EMAp is already planning new initiatives to further consolidate the role of Data Science as a central and strategic area for technological and social advancement. Events like the Summer School reaffirm the School's commitment to training high-level professionals and encouraging research and development in a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative learning environment.
The event was organized by FGV EMAp professors Alberto Paccanaro, Dário Oliveira, Diego Mesquita, and Jorge Poco, with support from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research - United States Air Force and the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro - FAPERJ.