Maria Tereza Pádua

A trailblazing Brazilian scientist who pioneered women's participation in STEM fields and developed Brazil's first computer science curriculum.

Maria Tereza Pádua (b. 1939) is a Brazilian physicist and educator whose groundbreaking work transformed STEM education in Brazil. As one of the first women to earn a physics degree from the University of São Paulo (1962), she faced significant gender barriers in a male-dominated field. Her determination led to foundational contributions in computer science and education policy.

In 1973, Pádua co-founded the University of São Paulo's Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, where she designed Brazil's first computer science curriculum. Her visionary approach emphasized both theoretical rigor and practical application, preparing generations of Brazilian engineers and scientists. By 2000, her programs produced over 50% of Brazil's computer science professionals.

Pádua's advocacy for women in STEM led to the creation of the Brazilian Computer Society's Women in Computing Committee in 1985. Her research on computational linguistics and artificial intelligence earned international recognition, including a 1997 award from the American Physical Society. She also authored the seminal textbook Introdução ao Processamento de Linguagem Natural, widely used in Latin American universities.

Her legacy includes the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology's Maria Tereza Pádua Award, given annually to women researchers. Pádua's work has been highlighted in Nature Magazine and BBC Brasil. Her TEDx talk 'Breaking Barriers in Science: A Brazilian Woman's Journey' has inspired countless young women to pursue STEM careers.