Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to the following persons and organizations:

Salete Perroni (Sal), my partner in life and in the fight for a better world.

My Mother, for her unconditional love.

My sister and my brother, for their love and companionship in life.

My friends in science, Alicia Rafaelly Vilefort Sales, Juliana Viana Mendes, and Maria Augusta Medeiros de Andrade.

My friend and Professor Humberto Miguel Garay Malpartida, for his support; for his principles; and for his integrity, which was demonstrated when the need arose.

Professor Camilo Rodrigues Neto, for introducing me to and teaching me about the science of complex systems since 2012; for supervising my dissertation; for the patience and the virtue in taking on and mediating the process of transitioning my master’s supervision after the breakdown of relations with my former supervisor.

Professor Carlos Molina Mendes, for his speed, impartiality, patience, and virtuous approach in mediating the process of transitioning of my master’s supervision.

My fellow friends: Alex Azevedo Martins; Amanda Moreira; Augusto Amado, Carina (Cacau) Prado; Ítalo Alves Bezerra do Nascimento; Júlia Mafra; Letícia Nery de Figueiredo; Marcelo Ricardo Fernandes Roschel; Reginaldo Noveli; Sílvia Capelanes; and Vanessa Simon Silva.

President Lula (Yes!), who saved Brazil from fascism and approved the long-overdue adjustments to graduate scholarships.

The local student movements, which truly support their category.

The Support Program for Student Permanence and Education (PAPFE) of USP, which enabled me to get this far.

The Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), for funding this work and enabling my presence in graduate studies (Grant number: 88887.703720/2022-00).