In December 2019,[2] Marcelino became the sole Brazilian recipient of the Marie Curie Fellow Award, granted by the European Union, among a total of eight awardees (six Europeans and one Chinese).[4] The award is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, a program promoted by the European Commission to fund promising researchers.[1] Marcelino submitted her project for consideration in the program in June 2019.[3] Her project involved the use of artificial intelligence for sustainable electricity generation. Artificial intelligence, being relevant for the study of climatological patterns, allows for the selection of the best strategy for generating electrical energy. In an interview, the researcher stated the project could be applied in vulnerable communities, improving their quality of life, and could also be used on a larger scale,[2] aiming to reduce emissions of polluting gases. Marcelino's award included a two-year research contract, with a monthly stipend of €4,500 to develop her proposals at the University of Alcalá, in Spain.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Marcelino believes investment in education yields long-term benefits for the country, fostering technological development. She emphasizes this includes social and human sciences as well. Marcelino asserts education is a transformative tool, highlighting the fact that she studied in public schools and institutions, acknowledging the considerable challenges that come with this kind of path. To her, her award is proof that investing in education brings returns for everyone[1] and that Brazil is not lagging behind in its researches.[2]