I hold a PhD in Forest Ecology, focusing on the impacts of forest fragmentation on tree communities, functional diversity, and carbon storage in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. My academic journey also includes a postdoctoral fellowship investigating the effects of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, emphasizing conservation strategies and ecosystem services.
Currently, I am an Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Southern Bahia (UFSB) and a CNPq Productivity Fellow, with over 15 years of experience in forest ecology and restoration. Before joining UFSB, I conducted extensive research on ecological processes in fragmented and degraded landscapes, contributing to more than 50 scientific publications. My work bridges ecological theory and practical solutions for forest conservation and restoration.
I lead the Restaura Una Project, a comprehensive initiative testing the efficiency of reforestation methods in degraded pastures within the Atlantic Forest. This project incorporates advanced techniques, including drone monitoring and mixed modeling, to analyze tree growth, mortality, and recruitment. Additionally, I coordinate the PPBio Beira-Mar Network, a national initiative funded by CNPq, which focuses on biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics in coastal ecosystems. Through collaborations with private companies such as Veracel Celulose, I ensure the practical application of research findings to large-scale restoration efforts.
My current research focuses on developing effective and scalable strategies for tropical forest restoration, with a strong emphasis on biodiversity recovery, carbon sequestration, and the socio-economic impacts of restoration projects. I am also deeply invested in understanding the impacts of climate change on Atlantic Forest ecosystems, including their resilience and capacity to mitigate environmental challenges. By combining field studies, remote sensing, and modeling approaches, I aim to advance both ecological knowledge and practical solutions for forest conservation.
