Bruno Oliveira Cova

I'm a Biologist and Arts Bachelor, and currently researcher was carried out at the Immunology Service of the Prof. Edgard Santos University Hospital of the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), and Professor of Anísio Teixeira Institute at the Education Secretary of Bahia Brazil. I work mainly with health practices focused on Infectious and Endemic Diseases; Molecular Biology applied to Parasitology, Entomological Surveillance; Health education; Science Teaching and Scientific Dissemination.

I worked in the Entomology Center at the Laboratory of Bahia Public Health (LACEN) between 2010 and 2016, working with the Surveillance of Vector Transmitted Diseases, mainly Leishmaniasis. I had the opportunity to access national reference centres in Leishmaniasis, such as the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Rio de Janeiro – Course about Ecology of Leishmaniasis (2010) coordinated by professor Elizabeth Rangel; and the René Rachou Research Center, in Minas Gerais, where I trained at the National and International Reference Center for Phlebotomines (2012) coordinated by Professor José Dilermando Andrade Filho.

My research about the Ecoepidemiology of Leishmaniasis, joining the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences at the Medicine Faculty of the Federal University of Bahia (2018). I developed my master’s project under professor Albert Schriefer, a researcher with extensive experience in epidemiological, genetic and immunopathological studies of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the state of Bahia. The PhD project in progress since 2021 continues to investigate ecoepidemiological characteristics of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in southeastern Bahia. The beginning of the fieldwork put me in contact with the ECLIPSE’s Project (Empowering people with cutaneous leishmaniasis) is a five-year applied healthcare programme (2020-2024) which aimed to improve the CL patient journey and reduce stigma in the most marginalised and underserved populations in Brazil, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka through community education. The programme adopted a critical anthropological and postcolonial approach to engaging with community members and was committed to steering away from a hierarchical and colonial way of conducting health research. Through ECLIPSE, I meet Professor Lisa Dikomitis, who presented me the Community Culture, Health and Illness (CHaI).

My professional trajectory is a tireless attempt at social justice, even if it is on the micropolitical scale. Working with a neglected disease like Leishmaniasis mainly affects populations that suffer health inequities and represents a way of aligning with my ethical and moral principles.

Email: bruno_cova@yahoo.com.br

Affiliation: Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA)