Adolpho José Melfi has a degree in Geology and Ph.D. in Geosciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). He is currently a professor at the University of São Paulo. He worked as Associate Professor at the French Universities of Strasbourg, Poitiers, Aix-Marseille III and Toulon et du Var. Mr. Melfi is a member of the Academia Brasileira de Ciências [Brazilian Academy of Sciences], the Academia de Ciências da América Latina [Latin American Academy of Sciences], the Academia de Ciências do Estado de São Paulo [São Paulo State Academy of Sciences], the Academie d’Agriculture de France and the Académie des Sciences d’Outre Mer, France. He has received several academic awards: Silver Medal in Geology; Gran Cruz of Scientific Merit, Palmes Académique from the French Government, Geoscientist of the year 2004 from TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries). He was President at the University of São Paulo (USP) and Director at the Centro Brasileiro de Estudos da América Latina [Brazilian Center for Latin American Studies] at the Fundação Memorial da América Latina [Latin American Memorial Foundation]. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Instituto de Energia e Ambiente [Institute of Energy and Environment] (IEE) at USP.
