Marcia Thereza Cavalcanti Couto, who originally hails from Pernambuco, moved to São Paulo in 1998, having never visited the city before. She characterized São Paulo as 'impersonal, diverse, and chaotic,' while also recognizing it as a center of intellectual thought that influenced her during her academic formation. This backdrop shaped her journey as she became a prominent figure in the academic world.

Couto's recent appointment in November 2025 as a full professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of São Paulo (USP) is especially noteworthy, as she is the first woman to achieve this rank in a department that has been established since 1967. The role of full professor represents the pinnacle of academic achievement within the university's career plan, and her success highlights the ongoing challenges and gender disparities that exist within academia.

Despite this landmark achievement, women remain a minority in academic positions within Brazil, particularly in high-ranking roles. Couto's ascent serves not only as a personal triumph but also as a symbol of the broader movement towards gender equality in education and academia, inspiring other women to pursue careers in fields where they have been historically underrepresented.