ASM congratulates Irma Rivera, Ph.D., on her selection as the 2010 ASM International Ambassador of the Year. Rivera is a professor and researcher at the Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, at the University of São Paulo, São Paolo, Brazil. Her research interests include environmental and applied microbiology with an emphasis on the molecular microbial ecology of marine ecosystems, including ballast water and Vibrio cholerae.

Rivera has been an ASM member since 1991 and received two ASM-UNESCO Fellowships, in 1994 and 1997, during which she studied with Rita Colwell at the University of Maryland. She was appointed ASM Ambassador to Brazil in 2007 and quickly demonstrated an exceptional commitment to her role and to the advancement of microbiology in her region. Due to the large size of Brazil, one of Rivera's first objectives as Ambassador was to identify six ASM Regional Liaisons in principal cities throughout the country. In addition to their strategic geographic location, Rivera selected these Regional Liaisons for their range of microbiology interests in order to connect with all areas of microbiology. Through her own efforts and those of her Regional Liaisons, Rivera has been exceptionally adept at engaging ASM members in Brazil and highlighting the membership benefits and ASM resources most relevant to current and prospective members across all disciplines.

Rivera was also responsible for coordinating a significant ASM representation during the biannual Brazilian Congress of Microbiology in 2007 and 2009. More than 2,000 and 2,700 participants attended the congresses, where Rivera organized ASM Coffee Hours, membership drives, ASM speakers, Best Presentation Awards, ASM Roundtable discussions, presentations on ASM membership, and visits to local universities.

These activities represent a fraction of her creative and determined efforts to promote ASM among Brazilian microbiologists. Since her appointment, membership and participation in ASM programs in Brazil have grown. In addition to her responsibilities as an ASM Ambassador, Rivera is the Coordinator of the Environmental Microbiology Unit in the Brazilian Society for Microbiology, a Board Secretary of the Pan American Marine Biotechnology Association (PAMBA), and a member of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME). Finally, Rivera is a Coordinator of Vibrios LatinNet, which includes members from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Peru.

Ambassador Rivera is an asset to the ASM Ambassador Program, an exemplary volunteer for the Society, and a veritable model of a microbiologist dedicated to the advancement of her science.