From the Sea to the Dry-lands

As an undergraduate student, I first joined the Projeto Ilhas do Estado de São Paulo as a trainee and later continued as a volunteer under the supervision of Fausto Pires de Campos. For four years I worked in this project. This was the most important experience of my life as opened my path in ornithology and conservation. There, I learned how to plan and conduct fieldwork, gained knowledge on the conservation of insular birds and their habitats, and acquired essential skills in bird banding techniques and breeding biology data collection. These formative years provided me experience to deal with difficult field work, the importance of the collaboration, sharing resources to optimize field logistics, teamwork and care.

My undergraduate research, supervised by Fausto Pires de Campos, focused on the cultural knowledge of local villagers about mangrove fauna. I also participated in the banding of Scarlet Ibises (Eudocimus ruber), which had returned to the southern coast of São Paulo State. This experience provided me with practical field skills and broadened my understanding etno-zoology.

The Banding Course at BDFFP was an outstanding experience in the Amazon Forest near Manaus. As a CEMAVE fellow, I learned extensively about molting stages and their applications in bird demography studies, guided by professors from Louisiana State University (LSU), along with Prof. Dr. Gonçalo Ferraz (UFRGS) and CEMAVE researchers. This experience not only sharpened my technical skills but also deepened my appreciation for the value of long-term ornithological research in the Amazon Forest.

I was part of the Professional Improvement Program at São Paulo Zoo, where I worked as a biologist for two years. There, I discovered my passion for the potential that zoos hold in restoring wildlife populations. My work in the Bird Sector greatly deepened my knowledge of non-passerines, bird management, and artificial breeding under human care, equipping me with essential tools to work with wildlife conservation. I then worked as a consultant in bird breeding centers such as the Lymington Foundation, where I gained valuable experience in specialized Parrot management. Later, I became the Technical Responsible at Zooparque Itatiba, further strengthening my commitment to advancing conservation through ex situ programs. Each of these experiences inspired me to see zoos not only as places of care, but as vital allies in research, education, and the restoration of species in the wild.

I had the privilege of interning in a challenging reintroduction project that united the Buenos Aires Zoo, Temaikèn Zoo, the local community, and the passion of Fundación BioAndina. It was there that I truly understood the importance of ex situ conservation—not only as a way to protect species, but as a powerful tool to inspire people, connect communities, and bring hope to conservation. This was a life-changing experience that expanded my horizons and deepened my commitment in conservation research and practice.

I first met Prof. Dr. Luís Fábio Silveira during the Brazilian Ornithological Congress, where we began discussing ideas for my master’s project. At MZUSP, I gained experience with different applications of taxonomy and systematics and had the opportunity to support colleagues in their research, such as rainforest passerine banding, richness and abundance. I learned about osteology and bird morphological traits that diagnosed species. Biogeography and bird conservation. I was also fortunate to work with Prof. Dr. Gláucia Del Rio during her master’s fieldwork on the enigmatic São Paulo Antwren (Formicivora paludicola). We shared memorable experiences exploring the marshlands in the countryside of São Paulo.  As a sudent at Dr. Silvera Lab I had autonomy to develop my on research project on Bird Breeding Biology that became a reference as a conservation initiative for the endangered Lear's macaw.

It all began with my PhD research project. Shortly after defending my master’s dissertation, I met Professor Dr. Tella, who invited me to join a field expedition in the Bolivian Valleys—one of the most challenging field experiences of my life, involving extensive road surveys across the Andean valleys. There, I met remarkable people and discovered an extraordinary diversity of fauna. This experience sparked my interest in parrot functional ecology, and I began to learn extensively about parrots in the wild—their behavior, as well as the evolutionary and ecological processes shaping them. Together, we designed a PhD project focused on the population dynamics of the Lear’s Macaw, advancing fieldwork-based knowledge essential for parrot conservation.

Endangered species biologists are specialists who focus on animal and plant species currently at risk of extinction. Their work involves breeding programs, genetic and ecological research, and investigating the causes of threats faced by endangered species. During my master’s project on breeding biology, I collected genetic samples to study the population dynamics of the globally endangered Lear’s Macaw. After completing my master’s degree, I continued monitoring the breeding population. In my PhD, I expanded this work by studying population dynamics through a multidisciplinary approach that combined molecular and isotopic analyses with breeding and environmental parameters. I extended my research beyond breeding areas, immersing myself in feeding sites and historical distribution ranges to investigate both past and current threats to the species.

Having children has been one of the most transformational experiences of my life. My son, Samy, was born in 2017 during the third year of my PhD, and my daughter, Verena, arrived shortly after the pandemic. While the joy of motherhood was immense, I quickly realized the challenge of balancing research, productivity, and family life. Nursing and caring for my children gave me a profound new perspective on nature and life itself, but it also tested my energy, focus, and resilience.

Re-engaging as a researcher with a newborn and a toddler is far from easy. Experiences like this highlight the critical need for emotional support and meaningful opportunities for parents to reconnect with science. I continue to navigate time management, expectations, and productivity, learning to embrace flexibility while remaining committed to my work. Motherhood has taught me resilience, creativity, and perseverance—qualities that now enrich both my life and my scientific career

In this article Sebastián-González, give us "Ten simple rules for a mom-friendly Academia"

What factors drive species toward extinction, and what strategies can we implement to halt this process? These questions fuel my passion as a conservation scientist. I believe in the power of science, communication, and collaboration to develop solutions that safeguard the future of endangered species. As a conservation scientist I integrate wildlife management, research, and outreach, constantly seeking ways to transform knowledge into action. I remain committed to strengthening my scientific expertise while expanding the scope of my investigations within the field of Applied Zoology. I am in academia, but I am also in the the front line of the conservation actions to support the recovere of an endangered species. 

This NatGeo article has a interesting view about how to be a conservation scientist. Also if you are looking for opportunities considere explore Conservation Careers.