Ms. Vasconcelos was born on June 30, 2000, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She attended Cedar Cliff High School in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 2018. 

“She was always the top of her classes,” her father, Silvio Vasconcelos, said. “She loved reading and was always reading a book. She always stood out with her intelligence and quick thinking. One thing she said when she was 5 years old, I will never forget. My wife used to take her to church every Sunday and one day the priest asked her why her daddy never showed up to church and she said, ‘My father will never come. He says that you talk too much and just say nonsense things.’”

Ms. Vasconcelos earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry with minors in biology and Spanish from York College in 2022. During her first year at York, she met her fiancé Nicolas Berardi in the STEM Scholars cohort when he asked for her number for help with their chemistry class. 

“We became friends and progressed to a relationship,” said Berardi. “Marina wasn’t there to party like many of the kids who go to college. Marina was an incredibly bright and driven person. She worked hard, got good grades and sought every opportunity she could.”

Ms. Vasconcelos was fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, and was learning French, Italian and Mandarin. While at York, she worked three jobs as a math and chemistry tutor and librarian at two separate libraries. She and Berardi rescued an 8-year-old corgi they named Princess. 

“Marina did everything possible for that dog while making good progress during her PhD,” said Berardi. “Princess passed away 24 days before Marina, so at least they have each other now.”

While at UD, Ms. Vasconcelos worked with her graduate mentor and advisor Catherine Leimkuhler Grimes in the Chemistry-Biology Interface (CBI) Program on research to repurpose an Alzheimer’s drug to treat patients with Crohn’s disease. 

“Marina was an amazing human and graduate student who exceeded all expectations,” said Grimes. “She was curious and determined in her work around glycobiology and Crohn’s disease. She was a respected member of our chemical biology community here at UD and off campus in the broader glycobiology community. She was the heartbeat of our research lab, a friend, a mentor to peers and a source of inspiration. She brought a unique perspective, always ready to listen, learn and share. Her curiosity and passion for knowledge were contagious, motivating others to reach for their best selves. We will forever be grateful that we knew her and will strive to keep her memory alive.”

Silvio and Berardi reflected on Ms. Vasconcelos’ compassion for others and the bright future she had planned.

“She was living a great moment in her life as she had finished her research and just needed to work on the publication of her results,” said Silvio. “She was going to get married on Aug. 1 in Seabright, New Jersey. She was so happy, so full of dreams and aspirations. I used to hug her, kiss her cheeks and say, ‘Do you know that I love you so much? Do you know that I am crazy about you? Do you know that I will do anything for you?’ And she used to say, ‘Yes, I do.’ And I would say, ‘Don’t you ever forget that.’ These are the last words I had with her.” 

“Marina had a strong personality and did not back down from challenges,” said Berardi. “She was kind, compassionate and caring. Marina helped her friends and family whenever possible with advice, compassion and money. Marina taught me a lot, and she made me a better person. I loved her truly; she was light in my life.” 

Ms. Vasconcelos is remembered by UD faculty, as well as friends and family back in Brazil:

Joel Rosenthal, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry: “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Marina Vasconcelos. She was a kind and generous presence in our community and left a mark on those that knew her well. She was also well respected and valued by her peers and the faculty in our department. One of the many things that stood out about Marina was that she demonstrated a special talent and sophistication in connecting with people and ideas across diverse fields. She had a bright future ahead, and she will be very deeply missed by our department and broader community."

Ms. Vasconcelos’ aunt Solange: “I was able to meet Marina at three months when she was in Brazil. A beautiful baby. Then she came back at the age of 3, an intelligent child with a strong personality. Since she was a little girl, she knew what she wanted. No one made her change her opinion. Shine wherever you are in the same way that you shone here on earth. Sweet Marina, eternal love.” 

Ms. Vasconcelos’ aunt Sonia: “Marina was a very beautiful baby, as she caught everyone’s attention at Galeão Airport when she came to visit us for the first time. She was a little person with a very strong and very intelligent personality. I remember when she came at 5 years old and always with her opinions already formed that no one changed. Today, surrounded by so much sadness, her family is lackluster, without direction, without understanding the reason for such an abrupt departure. How much I miss you, Marina. What endless pain, without explanation. See you one day, my love.”

Ms. Vasconcelos’ uncle Alcir: “Niece, the pain of missing you torments us every day, but your memories have always remained alive in our hearts.” 

Ms. Vasconcelos’ godmother and aunt Nélia: “My beautiful niece and goddaughter, I thank you for the honor of being your godmother. Due to the distance of living in different countries, there was never distance in my heart. Marina, always with a strong personality, already knew what she wanted from an early age. My girl, your star will always be shining, just as it shone on earth, now you are shining in the sky. Our plans would not be these, but God’s plans, only he knows. I will see you soon, mine and our love.”

Ms. Vasconcelos’ godfather Reginaldo Fonseca: “Asked to talk about Marina in this very difficult moment for all of us who had the privilege of living with her, what comes to my mind the most is the joy, simplicity and humanitarian spirit that permeated her brief passage among us. In addition to these attributes, the mark of her intelligence, determination, focus and tenacity in achieving her goals will forever remain. A brilliant scientist, she will leave her legacy of work and contribution to science. I am proud to be part of this history and to honor it. May her example serve as an encouragement to all.”

Ms. Vasconcelos’ friend Raquel Príncipe Trindade: “You know, I keep thinking about us a lot… The last time we saw each other, we were still just girls, with our hearts full of things we didn't even know how to name. We fought over nonsense, a teenager's thing, but that, unintentionally, turned into silence. And this silence became too great between us. If I could go back in time, I would do everything differently. I would have put my pride aside, I would have said that I missed you, that I wanted to have you back, that affection never ceased to exist. Because before the fight, I remember us laughing. I remember us playing, the afternoons on the webcam, the games, the affection you had with me when you brought me that Webkinz bug. That was so special to me. I remember how good it was to have you around. We had a beautiful phase, and that's what I keep with me the most. Today, what remained was this feeling of lack. Lack of time, of reconciliation, of moments that could have been. Forgive me for letting that drive us away. You have always been important to me. You always will be.”

Campus resources

As always, students can connect with UD's Center for Counseling and Student Development or call 302-831-2141. In addition, 24-hour support is available through TimelyCare.

Mental health support for UD benefited employees is provided from ComPsych® GuidanceResources®. The link gives steps on how to access services, or call 1-877-527-4742 for support.