Profile
Julio de Carvalho Ponce
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About Me:
Brazilian forensic scientist currently based in the North East of England. I have previously lived in Brazil 🇧🇷, Norway 🇳🇴 and now live in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. I love cooking and have been in one episode of Masterchef Brazil (Season 2). I also enjoy singing karaoke 🎤 and playing videogames 🎮 (massive fan of the Assassin’s Creed series).
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I have worked for 13 years as a forensic expert in Sao Paulo, Brazil (that’s the largest city in my home country, with 12 million inhabitants). I have worked with field work (crime scenes), DNA analysis and the analysis of drugs.
I also enjoy learning new languages and visiting new places. One of my favourite things to do is try new dishes and new ingredients.
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My pronouns are:
He/him
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My Work:
I am a Forensic Scientist, which means I use science to help solve crimes. My main interest is Forensic Toxicology, or the analysis of drugs in seized samples and biological fluids.
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I am very interested in analysing drugs (drugs of abuse – such as cocaine and cannabis, but also therapeutic drugs – such as aspirin and paracetamol) using different instruments and on different surfaces – such as paper, plastic and metal.
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Education:
Most of my education was in Brazil. Over there we usually start secondary school when we’re 7 years old, take 8 years of classes, and then progress to high school between 15-17 yrs.
We then choose what we want to study (no GCSEs, no A-levels, but specific tests depending on the university and area you want). I wanted engineering and applied to 4 universities (got accepted into 3) and decided to go the University of Sao Paulo. I only took engineering for a semester and decided it wasn’t for me. So I took another test and went on to get a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Sciences. A while after graduating I went back to university to get a second Bachelor’s, this time in Pharmacy-Biochemistry.
I did my Masters at the same university and my PhD partly there and partly in Oslo, Norway.
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Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Sciences, Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy-Biochemistry, Master’s degree in Experimental Physiopathology (all from the University of Sao Paulo) and a PhD in Epidemiology (from the University of Sao Paulo, with an internship in Oslo, Norway)
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Work History:
My very first job was teaching English when I was 16.
I’ve also worked in sales at a pharmacy ( I was great at selling perfume), and for an NGO (Non-governmental Organization) on alcohol and health.
Most of my career was with the Scientific Police of the State of Sao Paulo,Brazil, having worked with field work (crime scene analysis), in the DNA lab and in the Forensic Toxicology and Seized Drugs labs.
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Current Job:
I am currently an Assistant Professor in Forensic Science at the University of Northumbria
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Employer:
University of Northumbria
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
karaoke-loving toxicologist
What did you want to be after you left school?
I originally wanted to be an engineer, but decide I didn't love Maths that much. I eventually found that I loved Toxicology and the study of poisons and drugs
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I would love to be a chef! There's a lot of science in cooking.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Mariah Carey (not just her Christmas music) is a firm favourite. Out of current artists, I really like Billie Eilish
What's your favourite food?
I love coxinha (a Brazilian snack made with potato and chicken), but wouldn't say no to a sausage roll
Tell us a joke.
What do you call a spaghetti with a fake mustache and fake glasses at the crime scene? An impasta!
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