Paulo Mesquita Ph.D.

Paulo, an enigmatic philosopher from Brazil with a penchant for the unconventional, has built a reputation on challenging traditional thought. Among his most passionately held beliefs is that a silverback gorilla would easily defeat a grizzly bear in a fight, a stance that perfectly encapsulates his love for the unexpected and his rejection of mainstream consensus. His preferences, like choosing two goldfish crackers over a single Cheez-It, further reflect his disdain for ordinary choices and his commitment to forging his own path. Paulo’s rejection of light sabers, which he dismisses in favor of bare-knuckle brawls, demonstrates his belief in raw, unfiltered expression, a philosophy he applies to all aspects of life, a creed he follows even when facing off against Sith Lords. This same rebellious spirit is evident in his attitude toward the world of fantasy. Rather than conforming to the Hogwarts sorting system, Paulo defiantly claims that he would rather fist fight the wizards than be confined to a house, viewing the entire concept as another unnecessary division within society that could best be settled with a simple mano a mano contest. Beyond his philosophical musings, Paulo harbors a deep interest in exercise physiology, particularly in the role of mitochondrial (dys)function. His research is focused on understanding molecular adaptations to aging and exercise, aiming to uncover how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the aging process and the development of diseases.