Prison policy and human rights are central concerns to Ms. Cirenza, who once successfully mediated a 550-inmate prison riot. This year she will study U.S prison system, focusing on alternative sentencing methods and the privatization of prisons. She plans to use her Fellowship training to develop new approaches to the increasingly urgent problem of criminal justice in Brazil.

Ms. Cirenza holds a law degree from the Pontificia Universidade Catolica and masters degree from the Universidade de Sao Paulo.