Caminhos que os beija-flores me levaram: trajetória da minha formação e carreira docente

Abstract

In this memorial, I present a detailed retrospective of my professional and academic trajectory, revisiting the path taken from the early stages of my training to the present moment - a journey culminating in my consolidation as a faculty member at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU). This document is not merely a formal requirement for promotion to the rank of Full Professor - the pinnacle of the teaching career in Brazilian federal universities - but rather a living record of sixteen years of dedication to the public university and to the production of knowledge. In drafting these pages, I sought to revisit memories, data, and significant results. My primary aim in providing this level of detail is for the work presented here to transcend mere evaluative formality and serve as an account—particularly for faculty members who have recently joined the teaching profession at a public university. Thus, my intention was not simply to list my output, but to present a critical perspective on everything I have experienced over these years as a faculty member at the Federal University of Uberlândia. I believe that the teaching career, especially when pursued with a commitment to social impact, is one of the most powerful instruments for transforming individuals and realities; it is capable of realizing dreams, fostering critical thinking, and proposing technological and scientific solutions for society. My journey is defined by significant experiences that continuously reinforce one another: the classroom inspires research; research informs outreach; and administration is essential to making teaching and research possible. I conclude this memorial by sharing reflections on my vision and experience in higher education. It is an assessment not only of what I have produced but also of who I have become throughout this process of constant teaching and learning within the university.