An interview with Eustáquio A. Araujo

James Leonard VADEN, Carlos Alberto Estevanell TAVARES, Rolf Gordon BEHRENTS, Orlando TANAKA

Professor Eustáquio Afonso Araújo received his DDS from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the year of 1969. In 1981, he received his certi cate in Orthodontics and Masters in Dental Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA. His professional life has been devoted to the orthodontic clinic, education and research. As he returned to Brazil in 1981, he initiated his academic career as an Assistant Professor at Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC-MG), a traditional and highly recognized institution in the country. He soon became involved with administrative duties as well, and was appointed Vice-director and later Director of the Biology and Health Sciences Institute. Later on he became Dean of the Dental School. In 2000, he applied for the Orthodontic Program Director position at Saint Louis University. He was selected and started his work at the end of that year; however, his commitment to PUC-MG in Brazil made him accept to return to his country in 2003 to lead a new vision for the institution. He then became President of PUC-MG with its 42,000+ students and 5,000 professors and employees. His presidency was marked by his dedication, for the new political vision and a strategic planning which led the institution to be voted and recognized as the best private university in Brazil. He le PUC-MG with 55,000+ students. During his tenure as PUC-MG president, Dr. Araujo never lost his ties with Orthodontics. He kept his private o ce in Brazil and worked with his associates in order to maintain himself close to his greatest passion: Orthodontics. During those four years, he continued to lecture at least two times a year at Saint Louis University. In 2007, his term as president of PUC-MG ended, and he did not accept a potential new term. He returned to Saint Louis University as a full-time professor and presently is the Associate Director for the Center of Advanced Dental Education, Orthodontic Clinic Director and the Pete Sotiropoulos Endowed Professor of Orthodontics. He has recently been awarded the Louis Jada Jarabak Award in recognition for his services to Orthodontics and academics. Dr. Araujo has given many contributions to orthodontic education through many researches, publications and lectures all over the world. Together with colleagues, he is responsible for a new textbook “Recognizing and correcting developing malocclusions.” He is a member of the Brazilian Association of Orthodontics (ABOR), Angle Society of Orthodontics – Midwest Component, International College of Dentists, World Federation of Orthodontics, American College of Dentists, and is past President of the Brazilian Board of Orthodontics. His leadership contribution and high moral values have always been present in the many administrative and academic positions as well as strong community/political contributions. Dr. Araujo is married to Teresa Araujo, his soul mate and best friend, and has a daughter, Cristiana (Kika), an orthodontist and academician at the Jacksonville University in Florida, and a son, Francisco, a marketing major married to Veronica and who lives in Belo Horizonte. Orlando Tanaka – interview coordinator

How to cite: Araujo EA. An interview with Eustáquio A. Araujo. Dental Press J Orthod. 2016 Mar-Apr;21(2):28-38. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.21.2.028-038.int

Friday, December 27, 2024 14:37