- TFOS Ambassadors
Brazil
Monica Alves
Dr. Monica Alves is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil. She has established herself as a leading authority in ocular surface diseases, with a career dedicated to advancing research, clinical care, and education in this field. Her expertise spans dry eye disease (DED), meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), ocular graft-versus-host disease, and severe inflammatory conditions of the anterior segment.
She completed her medical academic degree at UNICAMP, where she earned her PhD and Habilitation (Livre-Docência). At present, she combines clinical practice with a strong academic role, actively teaching medical students, residents, and postgraduate fellows, while mentoring young researchers with a focus on innovation and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Alves’s research bridges basic science and clinical application. She has led projects supported by national agencies, focusing on translational approaches to ocular surface disease. At the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM/LNBio), she coordinates projects on ocular tissue biobanking, stem cell–based therapies, and proteomics, aiming to develop new treatments for challenging surface diseases.
She is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals and has contributed to major ophthalmology textbooks. She also serves on editorial boards of scientific journals and frequently reviews for leading international publications.
International collaboration has been central to her career. Dr. Alves has partnered with colleagues across Latin America, North America, Europe, and Oceania. She contributed to the TFOS Lifestyle Report, TFOS DEWS II and is currently involved in the TFOS DEWS III initiative.
Beyond her academic roles, Dr. Alves is an active member of the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO), the Brazilian Society of Cornea and Ocular Surface (SBC), and several international societies. She is frequently invited to speak at major national and international meetings, sharing updates on ocular surface disease, dry eye management, and translational therapies.
Her professional path reflects a constant effort to integrate science, education, and patient care. As a mentor, she encourages young clinicians and scientists to pursue excellence and international collaboration.
As a TFOS Ambassador, Dr. Alves is proud to represent Brazil and Latin America. She is committed to promoting education, awareness, and scientific advancement in ocular surface health, and believes that global collaboration through TFOS is vital to addressing unmet needs in dry eye disease and improving patients’ quality of life worldwide.
