Rafael received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro. He obtained a Master's degree in Molecular Biology from the Federal University of Sao Paulo, where he worked in the laboratory of Marcelo Mori on mechanisms contributing to dietary restriction effects on longevity in C. elegans. He completed his PhD in Medical Sciences at the University of Sao Paulo, continuing his interest in mechanisms contributing to the beneficial effects of caloric restriction in translational studies in humans. During his PhD training, he also completed a rotation in clinical research at Joslin Diabetes Center/Harvard Medical School. He has expertise in molecular biology with an emphasis on metabolism and clinical research.

In his spare time, Ferraz Bannitz likes to play sports and read classical philosophy. In addition to playing tennis, he regularly practices triathlon with the aim of completing his first IRONMAN event!