Students Who Became Professors at Nepuga/FAPUGA

In some cases, the passion for Aesthetic Biomedicine goes beyond clinical practice and extends to the gift of teaching. That is the case for some Nepuga/FAPUGA professors, who joined the institution as students and became faculty at the HEI.

Dr. Rodrigo Mello, an Aesthetic Biomedical Professional and faculty member at Nepuga/FAPUGA, tells about his journey so far, “I was discouraged with the field. I was already teaching, but I wasn't happy. I knew of some former students of mine who had entered Aesthetics and had studied at Nepuga. After talking to a student, I decided to give it a try and enrolled in the course.” The professor says that at first he did not have high expectations, but soon found himself passionate about Aesthetic Biomedicine, “I finally discovered what I wanted to work with.”

Previously, Dr. Mello worked in academia and was pursuing a master's degree, but when he changed fields he faced a challenging situation, “I've always worked in research, so I wasn't used to dealing with clients in this sense. I also found out I would have to study a lot, because aesthetics is much harder and more demanding than I imagined. Throughout the entire course I had the support of great professors and great content,” he says.

Uniting two passions: Aesthetic Biomedicine and teaching

The specialist, who already had an appreciation for education, says that even before Aesthetic Biomedicine he worked as a teacher “I started working in teaching when I became a teaching assistant for a professor during my undergraduate studies, and I discovered it was something I was passionate about. I'm very happy and fulfilled knowing that I can teach and help others.”

But to earn his position as faculty at Nepuga/FAPUGA, Dr. Rodrigo Mello had to work hard and seize the opportunities that arose. He described how that process went:

“The story is a little funny. In the middle of my postgraduate program I found Dr. Ana's phone number, sent her a message introducing myself, citing my credentials and expressing my interest in being a professor in the program. Every month I sent her a message reaffirming my interest. I also officially sent my résumé to Nepuga, as Dr. Ana advised. A few months after graduating, I received an email inviting me to take part in a faculty selection process. I didn't hesitate. I packed my bags, traveled to the city where the exam would be held, and gave it my best.”

Part of the HEI's team of specialists since 2017, Dr. Rodrigo has had the opportunity to teach both in-person and online classes, now in hybrid learning, and comments on his experience, “Since then I've learned a lot and grown as a person and as a professional. I always tell my students that much of who I am today I owe to Nepuga: the professors, the staff, Dr. Ana, the program”.

Dr. Stella Lobão tells her story up to teaching at Nepuga/FAPUGA

One of the longest-serving professors at the institution, Dr. Stella Lobão was initially a student in Dr. Ana Carolina's open courses, and later completed the postgraduate program in Aesthetic Biomedicine.

Like many professionals who work in clinical analysis, Dr. Stella found herself worn out by the routine of exhausting shifts and low pay. After a stressful day, she recounts how she came across the aesthetics field.

“I was fed up with working at the hospital, I got home stressed and started searching online for new career options in biomedicine. That's how I came across the term Aesthetic Biomedicine and the open courses  taught by Dr. Ana Carolina Puga. I started researching the field, which was just beginning, and soon became interested.”

Even though she lived in a city near Clínica Acorporalle, where Dr. Ana Carolina taught the courses at the time, Dr. Stella rearranged her work schedule and threw herself into a one-week immersion learning Aesthetic Biomedicine procedures.

So, in 2011 Dr. Stella started her contact with the mother of Aesthetic Biomedicine and formed a partnership that lasts to this day. Noticing the student's potential, Dr. Ana Carolina invited her to intern with her and help set up equipment for the courses.

Learning more and more about the techniques, over time Dr. Stella became Dr. Ana Carolina's assistant and began seeing patients at her clinic. “I already had knowledge of several procedures, mainly with devices, and was starting to practice injectables, so I began seeing patients together with Dr. Ana Carolina, and also teaching some small-group classes of the courses held in other cities.”

The specialist, who already had experience as a teacher of technical courses in clinical analysis, was now working with her new passion: Aesthetic Biomedicine. In 2013, Dr. Stella Lobão enrolled in the first postgraduate class of Nepuga/FAPUGA in Ribeirão Preto. After earning her specialist title, she joined the HEI's faculty.

Today, she is one of the most respected faculty members within the institution, holding a seat in the pedagogical department and serving as Dr. Ana Carolina's right hand when it comes to teaching in the specialization programs.

Training professionals who make a difference in the market is one of Nepuga/FAPUGA's values, and having faculty who trained at the institution today only reinforces our commitment to providing quality education.

Institutional