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Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Health Sciences, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 2017
  • Masters, Health Sciences, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 2014
  • Bachelors, Biology, Federal University of Ouro Preto, 2011
Academic Appointments
  • Postdoctoral Scholar / Assistant Research Professor, Pennsylvania State University, 2019-2022
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Boston University, 2018-2019
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University, 2017-2018
Professional Honors
  • Honorable Mention: Best Ph.D. thesis - Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), Brazilian Health Ministry, 2018.
  • Dr. Zigman Brener Medal – Contribution to the advancement of Science & Public Health in Brazil. Rene Rachou Institute – Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) Minas, Brazil, 2018.
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant (co-author) – Engineering Wolbachia for Malaria control, 2017.
  • PEW Charitable Trust Foundation Latin-American postdoctoral fellowship, 2017.
  • Dr. Antoniana Ursine Krettli Medal – Best published scientific manuscript of 2016. Rene Rachou Institute – Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) Minas, Brazil, 2016.
  • Dr. Joao Carlos Pinto Dias Medal – Best published scientific manuscript of 2015. Rene Rachou Institute – Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) Minas, Brazil, 2015.
  • Honorable Mention: Best published manuscript applied to the Brazilian Universal Healthcare System (SUS), 2015.
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant (main author) – An artificial diet for Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti, 2015.
Professional Affiliations
  • Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS)
  • Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM)

Dr. Dutra specializes in the development of molecular and biomarker-based in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) and laboratory developed tests (LDTs) according to 21 CFR Part 820, and internationally recognized standards for both De Novo and 510(k) premarket submissions. Trained in cellular and molecular biology, he applies his interdisciplinary knowledge in immunology, infectious diseases, microbiology and virology to class II medical device total product life-cycle development, with experience in centralized laboratory testing (single-site IVD), point-of-care (PoC), and over-the-counter (OTC) markets. Dr. Dutra's proficiencies also include using various bioanalytical methods applied to medical entomology for developing innovative microbiology-based methods to control vector-borne disease transmission in the field.

Dr. Dutra is experienced in developing laboratory tests and IVD medical devices containing workflows for extraction and amplification of nucleic acids of infectious disease agents (bacteria, viruses, protozoans) present in complex matrices from humans and insects. Matrices include blood, urine, anterior nasal, vaginal and penile swabs, mosquitoes, ticks and other insects amplified through either non-isothermal (e.g., PCR, RT-qPCR, ddPCR), or isothermal (e.g., LAMP, SDA) methods, followed by their detection using traditional (e.g., fluorescence, lateral flow) or next-gen (e.g., CRISPR) approaches. He is also versed in utilizing protein analysis, imaging and cell culture techniques such as ELISA, Western blotting, IFA, FISH, confocal laser scanning microscopy and lentivirus/non-viral cell transfection techniques for answering biomarker and mechanism-of-action questions.

Before joining Ä¢¹½tv, Dr. Dutra worked as a core team member at Quanterix, Inc., where he led the design and execution of analytical verification activities of a neurology-focused ultrasensitive LDT for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease in blood samples. Dr. Dutra also consistently used his knowledge of quality and regulatory strategies to work cross-functionally and support the creation of regulatory documentation such as product requirements, product development, analytical verification and risk management plans, FMEAs, and technical protocols.

Dr. Dutra also led a team of assay development scientists at Sherlock Biosciences, Inc., for the development of an OTC molecular diagnostics device focused on sexual health, offering fast extraction-free sample-to-answer results for sexually transmitted infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Dr. Dutra was deeply involved in the IVD medical device development from feasibility through assay optimization, device integration, and analytical verification and clinical validation phases of the design control process, following FDA regulatory requirements, ISO 13485, ISO 14791, and CLSI guidelines.

In addition to his industry work, Dr. Dutra's academic experience consisted in utilizing various bioanalytical methods for the creation of an innovative bacteria-based strategy for controlling the transmission of dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses from mosquitoes to humans. His peer-reviewed work, highlighted by major media outlets such as The New York Times, WSJ, and Forbes resulted in the first government-approved field releases of virus-resistant mosquitoes in Brazil, leading to a significant and sustained epidemiological reduction in mosquito-borne virus transmission in the areas selected, along with a global expansion of the project.