Andressa De Oliveira Lanchotti

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, Class of 2021-22

  • Home country: Brazil
  • Current career: State Prosecutor at the Prosecutor's Office of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil   
  • Specialization: Fundamental rights, environmental law and sustainable development
  • Emailadl87 [at] cornell.edu (adl87[at]cornell[dot]edu)
  • College and degrees:
    • Post-Doctoral Certificate, Democracy and Human Rights, Coimbra University, Portugal, 2018
    • PhD, Fundamental Rights and Public Freedoms, Castilla La-Mancha University, Spain, 2013; Thesis on Sustainable Development and Strategic Environmental Assessment
    • Master’s Degree, Environmental Engineering – Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil, 2010
    • Master’s Degree in Environmental Law, University of Limoges, France, 2008
    • Bachelors in Law, University of Sao Paulo 

What is the most memorable or impactful experience of your career so far? 

The most memorable moment of my career has been coordinating the task forces instituted by the Prosecutor's Office of the State of Minas Gerais to cope with the consequences of the two major mining disasters that occurred in Brazil — the failures of Samarco's Fundo dam in Mariana and of Vale's dam in Brumadinho. Additionally, coordinating the environmental area of the Prosecutor's Office of the State of Minas Gerais has been very impactful since I've had the opportunity to put into practice an agenda to improve the State's environmental policy that generated regulatory improvements nationwide. 

What are the big challenges you want to tackle in your country?

A big challenge that I want to tackle in Brazil is the transformation of the mining industry towards a more sustainable and safer path. I will focus on ways to drive the implementation of safer tailings disposal facilities, with a more rational use of natural resources in a movement that leads to the decarbonization of mining plants, therefor aligning Brazil with the global initiative to stop climate change. Brazil has a long way to go in these challenges and I'm very motivated to support my country on this path.

How do you think your Humphrey Fellowship and your time at Cornell will help boost your career?

Both the transition to a safer mining industry and the use of clean energy matrices are issues that are already advanced in other countries, especially in the United States. Having contact with people from different countries and learning about their experiences, in addition to experiencing the reality of the United States and improving my academic knowledge at Cornell University, will give me very important skills that will help me in building avenues and implementing my contribution to boost Brazil towards this transformation.

What does public service mean to you?

Public service means to me serving society. It's doing my best to achieve the collective interest with ethics, commitment, dedication and results.

Tell us a fun fact about you. 

When I'm not working I enjoy activities that are good for my body and mind. My favorites are running, spinning, practicing yoga and hiking. 

What would be your personal motto? 

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:32

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