Roberto was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Southern California, where he earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. Since 1978 he has been on the faculty of the Catholic University, Rio de Janeiro, having held several leadership⁄administrative positions including Associate Academic Vice President. Throughout his career Roberto built an extensive international experience spending visiting periods in universities and industrial laboratories in different countries. Twice on leave he served as Scientific Consultant with AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill. In 2008 he was a Visiting Professor with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and later in the year he held a Guest Scientist appointment with NEC Network Research Laboratories in Heidelberg, Germany.

As Scientific Director of the Brazilian National Research Council, managing a 300 million dollar research funding program, Dr. de Marca authorized the startup money for the national research network that led the way to the widespread use of Internet in Brazil. He was a delegate to several ITU meetings where the wireless 3G specifications were developed. Recently, he was appointed member of the advisory committee of Finep, the largest Brazilian funding agency⁄bank for research and innovation.

Dr. de Marca was the founding President of the Brazilian Telecommunications Society. He is an IEEE Fellow and a full member of the Brazilian National Academy of Sciences. He is listed in the 2007⁄2008 editions of Whoás Who in Science and Technology.

AWARDS: IEEE ComSoc Harold Sobol Award for Exemplary Service to Meetings and Conferences, 2008. IEEE ComSoc Wireless Communications TC Recognition Award, 2006. IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000. IEEE ComSoc Donald W. McLellan Meritorious Service Award, 1998. IEEE Fellow, 1995.