Team
Marcio Leite de Oliveira - Coordinator
Prof. Márcio Leite de Oliveira is a professor in the Biology program at the University of Araraquara (Uniara), where he leads interdisciplinary projects focused on biodiversity conservation. With a degree in Biological Sciences from UNESP and a Master's and PhD in Applied Ecology from USP, he has experience in Conservation Science and studies on forest ungulates. His research focuses on the impacts of human activities on biodiversity, especially on Neotropical fauna.
Ricardo Augusto Serpa Cerboncini, Ph.D. – Researcher
Researcher with a background in Biological Sciences (UFLA), a master's degree and a doctorate in Ecology and Conservation (UFPR). Also holds a bachelor's degree in Information Systems (ESAB) and a specialization in Data Science (PUC Minas). Has experience in teaching and research in ecology, conservation, biodiversity, and computational modeling with R and Python. Works on the project "Impacts of hunting pressure on forest ecosystems".
Marina Xavier da Silva, M.Sc. – Researcher
Researcher at LabCon in the project "Impacts of hunting pressure on forest ecosystems": Biologist with a master's degree in Ecology from USP, she has experience in Ecology and Conservation Biology. She worked as field coordinator for the Iguaçu Carnivores Project (2009–2017) in Iguaçu National Park. She also dedicates herself to the production of children's literature, combining science and environmental awareness.
Jhenifer Marques Pires , Master's student - Researcher
Master's student at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). Developing a project that evaluates the effectiveness of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) in quantifying hunting pressure in forest ecosystems, comparing two artificial intelligence algorithms for the automatic detection of firearm discharges. The research also characterizes the temporal and spatial patterns of hunting activity in the Iguaçu National Park, contributing to monitoring and enforcement strategies for Conservation Units.
Marcos Henrique Rodrigues Oliveira – Scientific Initiation
A student in the Biological Sciences program at Uniara, he is pursuing a scientific initiation program with a FAPESP grant, analyzing the relationship between deforestation and socioeconomic factors, including HDI and income inequality. Using maps and global data, he investigates how forest loss affects human development and vice versa. The results can guide environmental and social policies.
Nádia Gabriela da Silva – Scientific Initiation
Student of Biological Sciences at Uniara. Developing a Scientific Initiation project with a FAPESP scholarship, aiming to characterize illegal hunting in Brazil through the analysis of online news, identifying the weapons, species, locations, and periods most recurrent in this practice. The results will support public policies, enforcement actions, and more effective conservation strategies.
Isabela Liberato Pedrazolli – Scientific Initiation
A Biological Sciences student at Uniara, with a FAPESP Scientific Initiation scholarship, is developing a project that evaluates the effects of the presence of domestic dogs on the activity patterns of forest ungulates. Using data obtained from camera traps, the temporal patterns of five species will be analyzed in areas with and without dog presence, contributing to understanding their impacts on native fauna and supporting management and conservation strategies.
Beatriz Regina Possetti - Scientific Initiation
A Biological Sciences student at UNESP Jaboticabal, with a FAPESP Scientific Initiation scholarship, is developing a project that seeks to develop and validate a low-cost technique for locating firearm discharges using passive bioacoustic recorders. The research tests a spatial triangulation algorithm based on the sound intensity of the shots, evaluating its precision and accuracy and its potential to support the monitoring of illegal hunting and the enforcement of protected areas.