Denis Jacob Machado received his B.Sc. in biological sciences/marine biology from Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP). He graduated from Universidade de São Paulo (USP) with M.Sc. (zoology) and Ph.D. (bioinformatics) degrees. He is currently an assistant professor in bioinformatics at UNC Charlotte’s Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics (BiG). He has been a phylogeneticist and a fellow of the Willi Hennig Society since 2024. He is a trainer and supporter of UNC Charlotte’s Green Dot strategy to reduce interpersonal violence on campus. He also serves as an active member of the Latinx/Hispanic Faculty and Staff Caucus and supports community efforts that celebrate our diverse cultures at UNC Charlotte and in the region.