I am a group leader and a contracted researcher at BIOPOLIS CIBIO-InBIO where I’m developing the research project "ALIEN-SMART – Integrating biological invasions, human well-being, and sustainability to improve environmental policy and management”. I was one of the selected authors developing the IPBES Invasive alien species assessment - Thematic assessment of invasive alien species and their control. 

My area of expertise focuses on fundamental and applied research on invasion science; ecological modelling of invasive alien species geographic patterns; landscape ecology; Nature’s Contribution to People, and environmental changes applying integrative approaches to invasion processes and their societally-relevant impacts, aiming to improve the policy/management-relevance of state-of-the-art research in invasion science.  In 2021 I created the research group InvasionS – Invasion Science, at BIOPOLIS-CIBIO / InBIO that I currently lead.

e-mail: jsvicente@cibio.up.pt

Ecologist and Data Analyst with research interests in biogeography, biodiversity conservation, vulnerability assessments, and ecological modeling. 

A proven track record in arid and marine environments, demonstrated through a Ph.D. in 2016 and subsequent research initiatives. Postgraduate training in Computational Statistics and Data Analysis (2021) has enhanced the ability to handle complex and large datasets. Extensive fieldwork experience in challenging environments, including the Sahara Desert and Cape Verde Islands. 

Committed to leveraging expertise in ecological research and data analysis to address the impacts of climate change and the spread of invasive species, contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management.

e-mail: cgvale@cibio.up.pt

I’m a Landscape Architect, Invited Assistant Professor at the University of Porto, and Researcher at Associação BIOPOLIS. My research dives into all things plants, spanning from large-scale green infrastructure planning to the fine details of planting design. From urban green spaces to forest habitats, I’m interested in how adaptive management of vegetation can shape more resilient and biodiverse ecosystems in the long term. Whether native, non-native, or invasive, I study plant traits and how people perceive and interact with them. 

Currently, I lead the Education for Biodiversity Conservation Chair, a project funded by Fundação Belmiro de Azevedo (FBA) and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), which focuses on the creation of an arboretum in Tapada da Amora, Vairão. Through this project, I hope to establish a field-based platform to advance forest restoration and environmental literacy in northern Portugal. 

e-mail: catarina.teixeira@cibio.up.pt

I am broad spectrum ecologist working on integrative approaches to investigate and monitor biodiversity patterns and spatiotemporal dynamics across multiple levels, scales and facets (composition, structure and function). For accomplishing this, I am looking for innovative ways to combine satellite remotely sensed Earth Observations, models and in situ data (among other sources). I am applying this combo to analyze ecosystem functions and linkages to ecological processes, species distributions and diversity, functional connectivity, wildifire disturbances and post-fire recovery as well as systems resilience. Ultimately, I hope to contribute for 'next-generation' biodiversity monitoring systems for a better and safer Earth! 

e-mail: joao.goncalves@cibio.up.pt 

Ana Pinheira is a Researcher in the Nature and Biodiversity Department at the Landscape Laboratory of Guimarães. 

She is a PhD student at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) and is also integrated into the InvasionS research group at BIOPOLIS-CIBIO/InBIO. With a Master’s in Ecology and a degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Minho, Ana has extensive experience in conservation projects, fauna and flora inventory and monitoring, as well as studying and mitigating the impacts of invasive alien species, particularly invasive flora. Her work also includes urban waterline monitoring, aquatic ecosystem conservation and restoration, and promoting environmental education and communication activities.

e-mail: ana.pinheira@labpaisagem.pt

I obtained a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology in 2020, from the University of Porto with a thesis entitled "Deep learning to automate the assessment of cultural ecosystem services from social media data”. In this work I developed a freely available automated classification of cultural ecosystem services from social media pictures, that was achieved by the use of convolutional neural networks and other deep learning approaches. This classification allowed to overcome the constraints associated with manual classifications, allowing to assess cultural ecosystem services quickly, efficiently and relatively inexpensively.

Currently, I am a PhD student from the BIODIV PhD programme with a focus on advancing the social monitoring of climate change, through the development of computational tools that can support a regular and systematic analysis of public’s perceptions and awareness of the phenomena in social media.

e-mail: sofia.cardoso@cibio.up.pt 

I did my bachelor in Biology (2015-2018) in the University of Trás-os-montes and Alto Douro and my master in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution (2018-2020) in the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto with a thesis titled "The invasion of Yellow-legged Hornet around the world: a systematic review”. During my MsC I developed expertise both in Biological Invasions science and advanced tools (e.g. synthesis science, ecological modelling).  I collaborated in the project "Regional strategy for the control and prevention of Invasive Alien Species” CIBIO-InBIO at Azores (December 2020 – July 2021) applying my Biological Invasions Science expertise in management strategies design.  

Currently (2021-2024) I am a PhD student in the InvasionS group CIBIO (BIODIV PhD programme) with a PhD project titled "Multi-scale interactions between wildfires and plant invasions in Anthropocene landscapes".

e-mail: cristina.g.lima@cibio.up.pt

I am currently developing my PhD thesis on biological invasions, studying them through the lens of dynamic social-ecological systems. 

My research interests follow two intertwined paths:

• Theory and Models: Advancing fundamental understanding by conceptualizing and testing the dynamics and relationships within complex systems.

• Society, Policy, and Governance: Exploring societal responses to these systems, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific insights and actionable management strategies.

e-mail: evamalta@cibio.up.pt

José holds a master’s degree in Physical Geography and Spatial Planning (IGOT – University of Lisbon) and a degree in Geography Teaching (ISCED-Huíla). He has experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Change Ecology, with recent work focusing on species distribution modelling and the impacts of climate change on vegetation.

He is currently affiliated with CIDE and CEBEA (ISCED-Huíla), where he focuses on the study and conservation of flora in southern Angola, particularly in the southwest region, collaborating in several projects in Bicuar, Mupa, and Iona National Parks, as well as collaborations with local communities to mitigate the effects of climate change. He has contributed to several initiatives, including the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) and the Angola Escarpment Floristic Diversity Project.

e-mail: zec.luis@cibio.up.pt

As an early-career researcher, I developed a range of skills in geographic information systems, remote sensing, and species distribution models. 

Currently, as a PhD student, my research focuses on the detection of invasive plant species—particularly in aquatic environments—and the application of dynamic modelling to study their dispersion patterns and impacts on nature’s contributions to people. 

e-mail: nuno.mouta@cibio.up.pt

My current research focuses on developing methods for measuring and valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services for business applications in the context of the Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems Nexus. 💧🌽⚡🌲

My experience spans from ecology and biodiversity assessements to socio-economic analyses,  including work with fungi ecology, invasive species, climate change impacts, ocean economy analysis, and natural capital valuation.

Beyond research, I also carry out communication activities related to sustainability education and outreach. At RotaEco, I develop social media campaigns and initiatives to promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability among young audiences. At InvasionS, my role involves promoting group activities, projects, and the dissemination of published or ongoing research.

e-mail: patriciacpinto@cibio.up.pt 

Tomás holds a Master's degree in School Administration and Management and a Degree in Geography Teaching obtained at the Pedagogical University of Mozambique. He has experience as a university lecturer at Rovuma University and in environmental consultancy. 

In the scientific component, he was part of the conservation and environmental awareness project team. He intends to articulate his professional experience with the path he intends to develop in research in conservation ecology and ecosystem restoration. 

e-mail: tomas.tocoloa@cibio.up.pt 

I am a biologist from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Agostinho Neto University, with specialization in Zoology, and a Master’s student in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. I am also the co-founder and Chair of the Board of NaturAngola – Association of Socioecological Naturalists of Angola, where I created and lead the “Projeto Exótico” – Study, Control and Prevention of Invasive Alien Species in Angola.

I began my career in coastal biodiversity studies, with an emphasis on characterizing the fauna of mangrove ecosystems in Luanda, and I have developed work focused on conservation, environmental management, and mitigating impacts on natural ecosystems. My work is directly connected to invasive species, through research and the application of prevention and control measures in sensitive habitats.

e-mail: up202411973@edu.fc.up.pt 

I have a Master’s degree in Ecology and Environment from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, where my academic journey has fostered a profound interest in biodiversity and ecological interactions. 

My Master’s thesis, entitled “A multi-level approach to assess the impact of hydroelectric infrastructure on local avifauna”, focused on evaluating the ecological impacts of hydroelectric infrastructures on bird communities through a multi-scale analytical framework. This research provided valuable insights into how such infrastructures influence local avifauna and contributed to informing strategies for biodiversity conservation in anthropogenically altered landscapes. In addition, I have co-authored a scientific article currently under major revision for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. 

Eager to collaborate, innovate, and contribute to the ever-evolving field of environmental science!

e-mail: cheikh.seck@cibio.up.pt