Antonio José Roque da Silva will be honored by CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development)
The general director of the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Antonio José Roque da Silva, was announced this Friday (25th) winner of the 2025 Admiral Álvaro Alberto Award for Science and Technology, granted by CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). The award is one of the most important in science in Brazil and, in this edition, contemplated Exact Sciences, Earth Sciences and Engineering areas. The presentation will take place on May 8th, at 6 pm, at the Naval School headquarters, in Rio de Janeiro.
For the last 15 years, José Roque was at the forefront of efforts to design and develop Sirius, the largest and most advanced scientific equipment ever constructed in Brazil. Located on CNPEM campus, in Campinas (SP), Sirius is a synchrotron light source that has at its core a state-of-the-art particle accelerator, which placed the country at the global forefront in this area.
Diretor-geral do CNPEM, físico Antônio José Roque da Silva
“Sirius is the materialization of what Brazilian science is capable of doing when there is long-term vision, adequate investment and appreciation of knowledge. It is a concrete example of the technical and intellectual capacity that we have in Brazil, something that needs to be proudly shown to society”, says Roque.
At the head of CNPEM general board since 2018, he currently also coordinates the implementation of the Orion Project, a new laboratory complex for the study of pathogens and emerging biological threats, which will feature the first maximum biological containment laboratory (NB4) in Latin America and the world’s first connected to a synchrotron light source. Orion will be essential for Brazil’s scientific sovereignty in face of future epidemics and a milestone for the advancement of knowledge about infectious diseases.
“It’s a very special moment in my career. I was a CNPq scholarship holder at the beginning of my training and now I receive this recognition from the institution that contributed so much to science in Brazil. I feel that this award is not just mine, but belongs to everyone who builds, with collective effort, Brazilian science”, says.
After the announcement, the general director shared the tribute with all CNPEM members. “My career is similar to that of many Brazilian researchers. I started with a scholarship, did part of my training abroad, was a university professor and, since then, I have been working to give back everything I received. Science is a collective effort. Everything we have done at CNPEM was only possible with the dedication of thousands of people. Therefore, this award also belongs to them.”
He also thanked his teachers, colleagues and family, who supported him throughout his trajectory, highlighting that the award reinforces the commitment to continue contributing to science that is increasingly connected with the country and the needs of our time.
José Roque also highlighted the importance of all sectors of society in defending science. “It is a great honor. By honoring Admiral Álvaro Alberto, the award highlights the importance of people who, even outside the scientific community, understood and defended science as a pillar for the country’s development. This is powerful and current symbolism, at a time when we need to expand dialogue with society and reinforce trust in Brazilian science.”
About CNPEM
The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) is home to a state-of-the-art, multi-user and multidisciplinary scientific environment and works on different fronts within the Brazilian National System for Science, Technology and Innovation. A social organization overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), CNPEM is driven by research that impacts the areas of health, energy, renewable materials, and sustainability. It is responsible for Sirius, the largest assembly of scientific equipment constructed in the country, and is currently constructing Project Orion, a laboratory complex for advanced pathogen research. Highly specialized science and engineering teams, sophisticated infrastructure open to the scientific community, strategic lines of investigation, innovative projects involving the productive sector, and training for researchers and students are the pillars of this institution that is unique in Brazil and able to serve as a bridge between knowledge and innovation. CNPEM’s research and development activities are carried out through its four National Laboratories: Synchrotron Light (LNLS), Biosciences (LNBio), Nanotechnology (LNNano), Biorenewables (LNBR), as well as its Technology Unit (DAT) and the Ilum School of Science — an undergraduate program in Science and Technology supported by the Ministry of Education (MEC).
