Hilda Petrs Silva holds a degree in Biological Sciences, Medical Modality, from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, a postdoctoral degree from the University of Florida, United States, and a PhD in Biophysics from UFRJ. It was a pioneer in the creation of the first national AAV vector production center in Brazil. Her research focuses on gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, especially glaucoma, utilizing rAAV vectors and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies. She also contributes to the regulation of national health as a member of RENETA, the Brazilian network of specialists in advanced therapies, supporting the National Health Surveillance Agency in the evaluation of gene therapy products. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics (UFRJ) and Head of the Gene Therapy and Viral Vectors Laboratory.