Balseiro has research positions at the Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) and National Research Council (CONICET), Argentina. He is professor at the Instituto Balseiro, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, where he obtained his PhD in 1978. He works in condensed matter theory, in particular charge density waves and superconductivity, the electronic structure of high T superconductors and of strongly correlated systems as well as electronic and spin transport in nanostructures. His awards include: Guggenheim fellow; Hussay prize from CONICET; Teofilo Isnardi prize from the National Academy of Sciences (ANCFyN); and Konex Prize. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Argentina.

Jorge Kalil is Professor of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Director, Immunology Laboratory, Heart Institute, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo; Adjunct Professor at the GWU, USA; Coordinator, iii-Institute for Investigative Immunology; Former Director, Butantan Institute; Past President, International Union of Immunological Societies. Graduated in Medicine, Doctor of Science in Human Biology, University of Paris VII, in Jean Dausset’s laboratory (Nobel Prize 1980 for HLA). He was Visiting Professor, Stanford School of Medicine, and International Scholar, Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He studies the mechanisms of immune recognition and distinction of self and no self, with over 550 publications (ISI) and several patents. He is member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Grand Cross of the Brazilian National Order of Scientific Merit, Chevalier of the National Order of Merit of France, Doctor Honoris causa by Sorbonne Universités and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. He represents Brazil in the ICGEB.

Viana is professor of mathematics at IMPA, Rio de Janeiro, where he has been a researcher since his doctorate in 1990. He has written over eighty research papers and books, covering several topics of dynamical systems and ergodic theory, and supervised thirty six doctoral students. He was plenary speaker, International Congress of Mathematicians, Berlin, 1998; invited speaker, ICM, Zurich, 1994; plenary speaker, International Congress of Mathematical Physics, Paris, 1994; plenary speaker, Latin American Congress of Mathematicians, Córdoba, 2012. He was awarded the TWAS Award in Mathematics; Latin American Mathematical Union Award; Grand Croix of Scientific Merit, President of Brazil; Ramanujan Prize, ICTP/IMU; Grand Prix Scientifique Louis D. Institut de France. He is member of the Brazilian, Portuguese and Chilean Academies of Sciences, and was the Scientific Coordinator of the Latin American Mathematical Union (UMALCA), the president of the Brazilian Mathematical Society and a vice-president of the International Mathematical Union (IMU). He is the director of IMPA and the head organizer of the International Congress of Mathematicians ICM 2018.

obtained her Ph.D. in Physics-Mathematics in Moscow, 1989 in the ex-USSR Academy of Sciences. Founded the Group of Numerical Analysis in the Institute of Cybernetics, Mathematics and Physics in 1986, where also was Deputy director. In 1999 she was elected as TWOWS Vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean until 2005. In 1999 she took part as official member of the Cuban delegation, to participate in the World Summit of Sciences in Budapest, Hungary. Especially participated actively in the issues of the importance of Basic Sciences and Women in Sciences. Particularly relevant was her leadership in the Iberoamerican Program of S&T, in the Network on Gender, Science and Technology. Member and Co-chair of the IANAS Program for Women of Sciences 2013-2017, having publications of 2 books on Women and in sciences in the Americas. Has published more than 70 papers, author of 2 book on Numerical Analysis obtaining National Prize to the best scientific publication in Cuba in 1992 for the Book“Numerical methods of Mathematical Analysis. In TWAS Newsletter 2016, published "Maths are a must for Solving problems" . Was awarded in 2001 with the National Award "Carlos Finlay", 2001.

Morel is director, Centre for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro. A molecular biologist and medical doctor, he received his MD from the Medical Faculty, Federal Univ. of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil, and completed PhD work at the Biophysics Inst., Federal Univ. of Rio de Janeiro, and Molecular Biology Dept., Swiss Cancer Inst., Lausanne. He has led research projects in molecular parasitology and collaborated with others on neglected diseases and capacity building. He was previously: Professor, UnB; president, FIOCRUZ; and director, UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva, where he moved WHO forward in areas such as the unveiling of genomes of parasites and vectors, and establishing relationships with product-development partnerships and global ventures in public health.