Researcher · Professor · Advocate

Bia Kaori Mi

"To think, smile and understand a little more.
Demystifying accessibility."

Researcher, speaker and rare disease advocate. My work bridges academic rigour with accessible communication — on accessibility, ageing populations and Japanese culture.

Brazil MSc USP FD/MAS Advocate Speaker

Quick Facts

Base Brazil
Field Accessibility, Japanese Studies, International Relations
Degree MSc — University of São Paulo (USP)
Languages PT · EN · FR · JP
Group NUPRI-Asia / USP
Redes @biakaorimi

My Journey

Research born
from lived experience

I am a researcher and professor specialising in accessibility, urban infrastructure and population ageing, with a comparative focus on Brazil, Japan and the USA. My research doesn't stay on the page — I bring theory into everyday life through social media and the internet, because I believe everyone has the right to knowledge.

My experiences as a person with a disability (PWD) and as a Brazilian-Japanese mixed-heritage woman have shaped a unique worldview, which I share through talks, courses and publications in multiple languages.

Passionate about languages, Japanese cuisine, anime and manga, I stay closely connected to my ancestral culture. I try never to stop learning and to expand my horizons whenever possible. I can't get through a day without tea or something to read.

Bia Kaori Mi

Research Areas

What I study

01

Accessibility & Infrastructure

A comparative analysis of how Brazil, Japan and the USA approach inclusion in physical and digital spaces. What worked, what failed, and what can — and must — change for the better.

02

🌏

Population Ageing

Japan is the world's first super-aged society. What does that teach Brazil? Which policies work, and what can Brazil learn from Japan — and vice versa?

03

🏯

Japanese Culture

Identity, immigration and cultural heritage through a mixed-heritage, critical lens: celebrating without romanticising. From the Japanese diaspora in Brazil to everyday life in Tokyo.

Timeline

Moments that shaped me

2023 – Atual

FD/MAS Alliance Advocate (USA & Brazil)

First Brazilian in the FD/MAS Alliance. Co-host of the first global FD/MAS community meeting for patients and families.

2024

Guest Speaker — GEASIA/USP

Invited to present on Population Ageing in Japan and what Brazil can learn from it.

2021

Master's Degree — University of São Paulo (USP)

Dissertation on the challenges Japan faces as the world's first super-aged society.

2015 – Atual

Researcher at NUPRI-Asia (USP)

Member of the Asian Studies research group for over 5 years.

2021 – 2022

Volunteer at 20+ NGOs

Team leader, teacher, translator, editor and mentor. Activities carried out in Brazil working with Haitians and Americans to expand access to knowledge.

2016

BA in International Relations

Faculdades Integradas Rio Branco. Two academic merit awards.

My Personal Story

Living with FD/MAS

I am a person with two ultra-rare conditions: Fibrous Dysplasia (FD) and McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS). My first fracture happened when I was 1 year old. Today I am an advocate in the USA and Brazil, producing content to raise awareness of these conditions and share tips for everyday adaptations.

Part 1 — A Patient Perspective from Brazil Part 2 — When Beatriz met the Alliance! Part 3 — Beatriz Becomes an Advocate Full Summary: My Complete Story
FD/MAS Alliance → See Experience →

Brazilian in the
FD/MAS Alliance


2023

Year I became
an advocate

No borders

Languages

🇧🇷

Portuguese

Native

🇺🇸

English

Fluent · TOEFL · CELTA

🇫🇷

French

Avançado · DALF C2

🇯🇵

Japanese

Intermediário · JLPT N2

Talks & Events

Where I've spoken

2025

TV GGN — Observatório de Geopolítica

Guest

2024

Curso GEASIA — USP

Guest Professor

2024

FD/MAS Community Event (Global)

Co-Host

2023

SIMPORI — Santiago Dantas

Speaker

2021

ESPM — Japão Super-Envelhecido

Speaker (Webinar)

2021

Canal Saúde — Fiocruz

Guest

See all appearances →

Want to invite me to speak?

I cover accessibility, ageing, Japan and rare diseases in English and Portuguese. Available for academic, corporate and media events.

Send an Invitation → View Past Appearances