Professor and researcher at the Minas Gerais Federal University, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Physician at the Minas Gerais Federal University. Master degree in Public Health from the John Hopkins University, Fogarty International Center, NIH, United Sates of America (USA). Doctorate in Epidemiology at the Minas Gerais Federal University, CAPES, Brazil. Postdoctorate studies at the John Hopkins University, NIH/NIDA, USA.