Prof. Dr, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Brazil
Dr. João Renato Rebello Pinho is a renowned Brazilian physician-scientist with deep expertise in molecular diagnostics, hepatology, and infectious diseases. He currently serves as Director of the Molecular Biology Lab at HCFMUSP and coordinates key laboratories at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and Instituto de Medicina Tropical. With over 300 peer-reviewed publications, he is a pioneer in applying clinical metagenomics in Brazil, contributing significantly to the identification of viral pathogens like Orthohantavirus and Sabiá virus. His work has enhanced diagnostic capabilities and influenced public health policy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a leading researcher with extensive academic output and impactful translational science, he continues to contribute to both national and international scientific communities.
Profile
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Scholar
🎓 Education
Dr. Pinho earned his medical degree from the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (1979–1985), followed by a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at USP’s Instituto de Química (1988–1995). He became a specialist in clinical pathology through the Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology in 1996 and later earned an MBA in Health Management at Insper/Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (2008–2010). In 2015, he attained “Livre-docência” (habilitation as associate professor) at the University of São Paulo, marking his academic leadership. This diverse educational background reflects his multidisciplinary expertise in medicine, science, and management.
💼 Experience
Dr. Pinho has held pivotal roles in Brazil’s healthcare and research landscape. Since 2016, he has directed the Molecular Biology Lab at HCFMUSP. From 2006, he has led the Hepatology and Gastroenterology Laboratory at the Instituto de Medicina Tropical and FMUSP. Since 2005, he has also served as Medical Coordinator of the Clinical Laboratory at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. His career has spanned advanced diagnostics, laboratory leadership, and collaborative scientific programs across institutions.
🏆 Awards and Honors
Dr. Pinho has received over 19 national and international awards, recognizing his innovations in molecular diagnostics, hepatitis research, and metagenomics. Highlights include the 2nd Euro Innovation in Health Prize (2024), multiple best paper awards at infectious disease and hepatology congresses, and the Eric Roger Wroclawski Clinical Medicine Award. He has also earned distinction from the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases and Ophthalmology, and was a finalist for the AACC Young Investigator Award. His accolades reflect both scientific excellence and public health impact.
🔍 Research Focus
Dr. Pinho’s research bridges molecular diagnostics, clinical metagenomics, and hepatotropic viruses, with a strong emphasis on One Health. His work spans detection of novel viruses in humans and animals, viral hepatitis epidemiology, COVID-19 pathology, and liquid biopsy for cancer biomarkers. He has pioneered clinical applications of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in Brazil, facilitating viral detection in remote areas and pandemic response. His translational focus integrates diagnostic innovation, public health, and clinical application.
🏆 Conclusion
Dr. João Renato Rebello Pinho is an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Best Academic Researcher Award, with a proven record of scientific innovation, leadership, and societal impact in infectious disease diagnostics and molecular medicine. His work embodies the fusion of academic excellence with real-world application—particularly in Brazil’s healthcare system—and positions him as a leading figure in Latin American medical research. With minor strategic efforts to amplify global engagement and translational outreach, his profile could serve as a benchmark for academic research excellence worldwide.
Publication
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Title: Persistent COVID-19 in a patient with B cell lymphoma refractory to antiviral treatment due to resistance to Remdesivir
Authors: de Assumpção, L.E.C.C.; Romeo, B.G.P.; Guerra, J.C.D.C.; Camargo, L.F.A.; Nagaoka, M.A.; Amgarten, D.E.; Dorlass, E.G.; Petroni, R.C.; Cardoso, A.C.A.; Ruiz, R.D.M.; et al.
Year: 2025
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02199
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Title: Chronic Dengue Virus Encephalitis: A Case Study and Metagenomic Analysis
Authors: Allioni, G.A.; de Souza, G.S.M.; Labello, J.H.; Torres, G.S.A.; da Costa, D.L.; Casal, Y.R.; Duarte-Neto, A.N.; Dorlass, E.G.; Amgarten, D.; Malta, F.M.; et al.
Year: 2025
Link: https://doi.org/10.1212/NXI.0000000000200394
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Title: Diagnosis of Cladophialophora bantiana cerebral infection by clinical metagenomics
Authors: Roselli, W.R.; de Oliveira Miraglia, F.F.; de Mello Malta, F.; Fernandes, G.B.P.; Ribas, G.C.; de Oliveira Godeiro Júnior, C.; Amgarten, D.E.; Nunes, F.C.G.; Trindade, M.; de Almeida Junior, J.N.; et al.
Year: 2025
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2025.116822
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Title: Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Infectious Uveitis: A Comprehensive Systematic Review
Authors: Pardo, I.; Finamor, L.P.S.; Marra, P.S.; Ferreira, J.M.G.; Gutfreund, M.C.; Hsieh, M.K.; Li, Y.; Pinho, J.R.R.; Rizzo, L.V.; Kobayashi, T.; et al.
Year: 2025
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/v17060757
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Title: Intensive Therapeutic Plasma Exchange—New Approach to Treat and Rescue Patients with Severe Form of Yellow Fever
Authors: Ho, Y.L.; Nukui, Y.; Villaça, P.R.; Okazaki, E.; Tatsui, N.H.; Netto, L.C.; Joelsons, D.; Rocha, T.R.F.; Malta, F.M.; Pinho, J.R.R.; et al.
Year: 2025
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed10020039
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Title: Acute Hepatitis Related to Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3f Infection in Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro, L.B.; Reche, L.A.; Nastri, A.C.D.S.S.; Malta, F.D.M.; Amgarten, D.E.; Casadio, L.V.B.; Gonzalez, M.P.; Ono, S.K.; Mendes-Correa, M.C.; Carrilho, F.J.; et al.
Year: 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.70024
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Title: Evidence of reassortment of avian influenza A (H2) viruses in Brazilian shorebirds
Authors: Thomazelli, L.M.; Pinho, J.R.R.; Dorlass, E.G.; Ometto, T.; Meneguin, C.; Paludo, D.; Frias, R.T.; Mancini, P.L.; Monteiro, C.; Aicher, S.M.; et al.
Year: 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300862
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Title: Identification of a Orthohantavirus strain by clinical metagenomics in Brazil
Authors: Seara-Morais, G.J.; Miraglia, F.F.D.O.; Hidal, J.T.; Camargo, L.F.A.; Mangueira, C.L.P.; Doi, A.M.; Amgarten, D.E.; Dorlass, E.G.; Santana, R.A.F.; Pinho, J.R.R.
Year: 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116501
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Title: Immune Evasion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 and EG.5.1 in a Cohort of Older Adults after ChAdOx1-S Vaccination and BA.4/5 Bivalent Booster
Authors: Machado, R.R.G.; Candido, É.D.; Aguiar, A.S.; Chalup, V.N.; Sanches, P.R.; Dorlass, E.G.; Amgarten, D.E.; Pinho, J.R.R.; Durigon, E.L.; Oliveira, D.B.L.
Year: 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12020144
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Title: Incursion of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Virus, Brazil, 2023
Authors: de Araújo, A.C.; Silva, L.M.N.; Cho, A.Y.; Repenning, M.; Amgarten, D.; de Moraes, A.P.D.; Malta, F.; Miller, M.; Dorlass, E.G.; Palameta, S.; et al.
Year: 2024
Link: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3003.231157