Cecília Menna Barreto

A Brazilian parasitologist and public health pioneer who revolutionized the study of tropical diseases.

Cecília Menna Barreto (1922–2012) was a Brazilian parasitologist and public health pioneer whose groundbreaking research transformed the understanding and treatment of tropical diseases. Born in Rio de Janeiro, she dedicated her career to combating neglected tropical diseases like schistosomiasis and malaria, which disproportionately affected marginalized communities in Brazil. Her work emphasized both scientific rigor and community engagement, bridging the gap between laboratory research and public health policy.

Barreto’s most notable contribution was her discovery of the life cycle of the Schistosoma mansoni parasite, which causes schistosomiasis. This breakthrough enabled the development of targeted interventions, including the use of molluscicides to eliminate snail hosts and improved diagnostic techniques. She also pioneered the concept of 'sentinel sites,' monitoring disease prevalence in high-risk areas to guide prevention strategies.

Her leadership extended beyond the lab. In 1960, she co-founded the Oswaldo Cruz Institute’s Parasitology Department, training generations of researchers. She collaborated with international organizations like WHO, advocating for global health equity. Her efforts reduced schistosomiasis incidence by over 90% in some regions by the 1970s. Barreto’s legacy includes the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency’s parasite control programs and her 1972 book Parasitic Diseases in Brazil.

Despite her achievements, Barreto remained humble, often stating, 'Science is not about individual glory—it’s about saving lives.' Her work laid the foundation for modern tropical medicine and inspired global health initiatives like the WHO’s neglected tropical disease roadmap.