PBSF is an ecosystem of initiatives aimed at providing the best way to prevent neurological sequelae in high-risk neonates.
We are the creators of the NEON ICUs, an innovative and pioneering strategy, with 24×7 remote neurological monitoring modules, supported by a specialized team capable of early identification of brain dysfunctions such as the presence of epileptic seizures and changes in cerebral oxygenation in newborns.
In addition to creating the concept of NEON ICUs, PBSF also has the largest intelligent database of neurological events, being able to bring more and more accuracy and efficiency to the proper treatment of babies.
An Educational Platform is also part of our ecosystem, to offer longitudinal training to the teams, a Clinic for monitoring cases, and an Institute committed to spreading the benefits and the need for permanent neurological prevention in babies.
Mission
Our mission is to reduce the number of people with preventable disabling disabilities in the world to zero.
Vision
Organization recognized for the permanent search for innovative proposals, for the strength of its evolution and technical progress as a result of the principles and foundations that sustain our work base.
Values
Ethics, Respect, Transparency, Honesty, Search for Challenges and Innovations and Social Responsibility,
Gabriel Variane, MD, PhD
Founder
Dr. Gabriel F. T. Variane graduated from Medical School at Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo in 2009 and completed his pediatric training, neonatal fellowship, and PhD in Health Sciences at Santa Casa de São Paulo. Prior to his current position, he was a visiting observer at Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Canada (2014), The Rosie Maternity Hospital, University of Cambridge, UK (2015), and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford University, US (2016). Dr. Variane is currently the Medical Director of the Neonatal Neuro-Critical Care program at Santa Casa.
In 2016, Dr. Variane started a nationwide project and organization called Protecting Brains and Saving Futures (PBSF). The organization's goal is to provide education and implement strategies for neuroprotection and brain monitoring on a large scale for babies at risk of brain injury. PBSF utilizes state-of-the-art digital health, in collaboration with Microsoft, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and immersive reality systems, to provide remote and real-time assistance to 50 different hospitals across the country. Along with this educational effort, Dr. Variane has been directing a series of workshops and conferences in Brazil and other countries in Latin America to promote brain-focused NICU care. His work at PBSF has been nominated for and has received several national and international recognitions.
Dr. Variane’s research also focuses on the use of digital health systems including multimodal aEEG/EEG and NIRS monitoring, cloud computing and machine learning technology to better understand the physiology and complex pathophysiology of brain activity and perfusion in infants at risk. He currently collaborates in a multicenter study with the Neurological Neonatal ICU team from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford University, US. Dr. Variane co-founded the Newborn Brain Society, and recently was selected for President-elect position.
Alexandre Netto, MD, MBA
Co-founder and Vice President of PBSF
He holds an MD from University of Mogi das Cruzes / UMC (2005). Completed a Medical Residency in Pediatrics (2008) and in Neonatology (2009) at Santa Casa of São Paulo (2009). Board Certified in Pediatrics (2010) and Neonatology by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (2011). He also has postgraduate degrees in Newborn Nutrition from The University of Western Australia (2018) and in Administration from Fundação Getúlio Vargas - FGV (2015). He has previously worked as an attending physician in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Santa Casa de São Paulo.
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Rodrigo Paiva
Chief Operating Officer
After 4 years as board member, Rodrigo joined PBSF as Partner and COO in April 2024. Prior to that, served at Microsoft Brazil and Latin America for 19 years, where he held positions such as Vice President of Operations and Sales, Vice President of Marketing and Operations, Director for Small and Medium Enterprises and Channels, Product Manager, among other functions. Before Microsoft, he worked at IBM Brazil for seven years as responsible for the company's Product Marketing area. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from FAAP.
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Maurício Magalhães, MD, MS
Scientific Director PBSF
He holds an MD from Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medicine (1984). Completed a medical residency in Pediatrics (1985/1986) and in Neonatology at Santa Casa de São Paulo (1988). Holds a Master’s degree in Medicine (Pediatrics) from Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medicine (1996). He is currently an Assistant Professor at Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medicine and Head of the Division of Neonatology of the Department of Pediatrics at Santa Casa de São Paulo. He has experience in Pediatrics, specializing in Neonatology, with a research focus on Neonatal Neurocritical Care, particularly in Therapeutic Hypothermia.
Marcelo Mimica, MD
Research Director
Marcelo Mimica has an MD, an MS and a PhD in Medicine (Pediatrics), and a Habilitation (livre-docência) in Microbiology from Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medicine. He completed a medical residency in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and further training in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Santa Casa de São Paulo. He was a visiting fellow in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Texas Children's Hospital - Baylor College of Medicine and a visiting fellow in Clinical Microbiology at Saint Louis Children's Hospital - Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis. He is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics and the Brazilian Medical Association, Board Certified in Pediatric Infectious Diseases by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases and the Brazilian Medical Association, and Board Certified in Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine and the Brazilian Medical Association. In the area of Management, he completed an MBA in Management and Digital Transformation from the School of Communications and Arts of the University of São Paulo, in addition to several executive programs from institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Oxford, INSEAD, Wharton, Dartmouth, Cambridge, Nova SBE, FIA and IBGC. He also completed postgraduate diplomas in Neuroscience, Positive Psychology and Mindfulness from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, in Astronomy with an emphasis on Planetology from the Faculty of Governance, Engineering and Education of São Paulo, and in Human Sciences: Sociology, History and Philosophy from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. He is currently an associate professor in the Division of Microbiology of the Department of Pathology at Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medicine, medical head at Grupo Fleury and director of research and innovation at PBSF.
Rafaela Fabri, MD
PBSF Medical Director
She holds an MD from the University of Taubaté (2012). Completed a residency in Pediatrics and Neonatology at Santa Casa de São Paulo (2016). She is currently an attending physician in the Division of Neonatology of the Department of Pediatrics at Santa Casa de São Paulo, a member of the Neurological Neonatal ICU team at Santa Casa de São Paulo, and is pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences at Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medicine (2022). She has experience in Pediatrics, specializing in Neonatology, with a research focus on the Neurological Neonatal ICU.
Fábio Velloso
Chief Technology Officer
Fabio holds a Bachelor's in Computer Science from the Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar) and a Master of Business Administration from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). He has also earned a Professional Certificate in Digital Transformation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), for which he was honored with the MIT Professional Education Fire Hydrant Award (FHA). His professional certifications include cultural awareness, leadership, innovation, machine learning, technology forecasting, and technology management.
Fabio has worked with leading corporations such as Telefónica Global, Telefónica Latin America, Telefónica Brasil, and BankBoston, as well as in consulting on software development projects, mentoring, tech advisory, and M&A. His expertise spans management, system and enterprise architecture, technology roadmaps, strategic planning, and implementing cutting-edge solutions such as microservices, big data, and cloud-native applications.
Fabio is a Professor of Software Architecture at Universidade Federal de São Carlo and founder and director of SouJava, the largest Java user group in the world. He had been a member of the Java Community Process Executive Committee for over ten years, contributing to the specifications and evolution of the technology.
At PBSF, he collaborates closely with the medical, product, and research teams in developing new products and services while leading the entire technology department and initiatives in AI, Edge, and Cloud Computing.
Flávia Pascoal
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) PBSF
Graduated in Social Communication-Public Relations from PUC-MG (1996), a postgraduate degree in Communication and Business Management from IEC-PUC-MG (1999). She has an International Executive MBA in Marketing, FGV / Ohio University-USA (2002) and a Business MBA, Fundação Dom Cabral (2003). She holds a Masters in Communication and Consumption, ESPM (2008). She participated in the APG-Advanced Management Program, Amana-Key (2019). She holds International Certification in Digital Marketing 9.0, Digital Marketing Institute / ESPM (2022). She taught classes in Luanda (Angola), at the invitation of the Ministry of Health of Angola (2009 and 2011). She is currently a visiting professor at Fundação Getúlio Vargas and Fundação Dom Cabral. She has more than 20 years of experience as a marketing manager in healthcare companies.
Bruno dos Anjos
Immersive Technologies Director
With solid experience in Mixed Reality and digital innovation, recognized as a Microsoft MVP in Mixed Reality since 2019. At PBSF, I lead the strategy and development of immersive solutions, coordinating teams and directing the creation of products focused on the Metaverse, with a focus on innovative experiences and impactful results.
Rodinei Filho
Administrator of PBSF
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Centro Universitário Sumaré (2017), a postgraduate degree in Entrepreneurship and New Business Development from Anhembi Morumbi (2023) and an Executive MBA in Management and Leadership from Faculdade das Américas (2020).
Bianca Geddo Figueiredo, MD
Medical Manager
She holds an MD from Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medicine (2015). She completed a medical residency in Pediatrics (2018) and in Neonatology (2020) at Santa Casa de São Paulo (2020). She is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, and is a member of the Neurological Neonatal ICU team at Santa Casa de São Paulo.
Luciana Almeida, MD
Medical Manager
She holds an MD from Santos School of Medicine (2014). She completed a medical residency in Pediatrics (2017) and in Neonatology (2019) at Santa Casa de São Paulo. She is currently a member of the Neurological Neonatal ICU team at Santa Casa de São Paulo. She is attending physician in the Division of Neonatology of Amparo Maternal Hospital.
Nícolas Rodrigues, MD
New Projects Manager
He holds an MD from Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medicine (2017). He completed a medical residency in Pediatrics (2020) and in Neonatology at Santa Casa de São Paulo (2022). He is currently an attending physician in the Division of Neonatology of the Department of Pediatrics at Santa Casa de São Paulo and an attending physician at Hospital e Maternidade Santa Joana. He has experience in Neonatal Intensive Care and Neurological Neonatal ICU.
Danieli Kimura, MD
PBSF Medical Research Manager
She holds an MD from Universidade da Região de Joinville - Santa Catarina (2017). She completed a Medical Residency in Pediatrics (2020) and Neonatology (2022) at Santa Casa de São Paulo. She also completed the Clinical Research Course - Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (PPCR) at Harvard University (2022). She has experience in Neonatal Intensive Pediatrics and is currently an attending physician in the Division of Neonatology of the Department of Pediatrics at Santa Casa de São Paulo and at Hospital e Maternidade Santa Joana.
Laura Tafner
PBSF Data Manager
She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Nutrition from Centro Universitário São Camilo (2011) and in Business Administration from PUC-SP (2017). She also holds a postgraduate degree in Clinical Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy from GANEP (2012) and a specialization in Eating Disorders from AMBULIM, HC-FMUSP (2011). At PBSF, she works as a Data Manager, overseeing channel relationships, new business development, and managing the technology team. In the technology sector, she is also responsible for leading and developing systems and software that support data collection and processing using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
