Academic program
PhD in Sociology (specialization in Women's and Gender Studies)
Degrees you currently have
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Education, both from the Universidade Católica de Goiás
Hometown
Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
Why did you select your program?
I decided to apply to the PhD in Sociology with a specialization in WGS for two main reasons: First, through the lens of sociology it is possible to go deep in learning about my main research interests. Sociological theories, methods and the so-called "sociological imagination" allow me to understand how variables intersect. Social class, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, age, nationality and civil status are all key variables in the understanding of lived experiences and biographies. Second, I found influential people composing the faculty of my department in diverse areas of knowledge. I have specialist professors in research methods, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, family, religion, crime and deviance, health, and media. Based on that, I believe that completing a PhD in sociology in the University of Nebraska allows me to access knowledge and people who may contribute significantly with my development as a scholar ! and criti cal thinker.
What has been your best experience as a graduate student at Nebraska?
One of the best experiences I am facing as a graduate student at UNL is to have the chance to serve as the vice-president of the Nebraska Association of Sociology Graduate Students (NASGS). This is a group formed by graduate sociology students which intend to bring benefits for the students in our department and to build a supportive community. I was elected by my peers to serve from 2025 to 2026. Through this opportunity, I can support my peers and serve as an intermediary between them and my professors. I understand that this position may contribute to the development of fundamental skills for academic positions, such as conflict management and the capacity to argue and interact with people with different interests.
Who have been some of your strongest mentors or role models here?
I am currently being advised by Dr. Kelsy Burke. Since we share the same research interests, she has been extremally supportive in my process of learning. Her vast experience in the field of gender and sexuality makes me comfortable to share concerns and ask questions. Among other people who have been contributing significantly to my academic growth and goals are Dr. Julia McQuillan, Dr. Aaron PeeksMease and Dr. Regina Werum. During my two years in the PhD program, I had the great opportunity to serve as teaching assistant for all of them. Through their feedback, instructions and shared experiences, I have been able to develop myself in terms of intellectual production and teaching.
Do you have research experience? If so, please describe.
I do have previous research experience. I started to conduct scientific research when I was an undergraduate student by utilizing interviews to understand difficulties faced by family businesses. Later when I was in my masters, I utilized interviews to research the meaning of sexual education according to high school teachers and students in public schools in Brazil. In addition, I could work as a professional researcher, and utilize surveys to understand the key barriers and difficulties faced by small businesses in my hometown with the purpose to propose innovative solutions. My intention is to focus on quantitative methods during my PhD, and to develop more sophisticated statistical analysis by using systems such as STATA and SPSS.
What are your plans once you have earned the degree?
My intention is to keep working in the academic environment after my PhD. I would like to work as a professor and researcher in the field of gender and sexuality, focusing more specifically in the formation of masculinity, violence against women and the pornography industry. I feel very proud of being a PhD student in the department of sociology at the UNL, and everyday more confident in achieving my academic goals based on the situations I am being exposed to, experiences I am having and people I am knowing.
