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Research and Field Work
Research and Field Work
Programa Monitora PARNASO: Monitoring of Frugivorous Butterflies, Birds (Cracidae and Tinamidae), and Medium- and Large-sized Mammals in Southeastern Brazil. (2019)
Two trails within Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (PARNASO, Teresópolis and Petrópolis, Brazil) were monitored in situ for 7 days in March and then again in April 2019 for the presence of frugivorous butterflies, birds of the families Cracidae and Tinamidae, and medium- and large-sized mammals. The methods followed protocols established by the federal government for terrestrial biomes. Butterflies were trapped and identified once every 48h, while vertebrates were observed daily at dawn along trails ranging from 2.3 to 3 km. The efforts were part of the monitoring program of Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) which annually monitors umbrella species of the conservation units. Programa Monitora is aimed at generating a basis for analyses of the effects of climate change and other abiotic pressures, success of the conservation initiatives, and state of conservation of the monitored area among other parameters. PARNASO aims at establishing a third monitoring trail in the near future.
Long-term Atlantic forest biodiversity field project. (2017 - 2019).
Assisted Dr. Jorge Nascimento in the placement of camera traps to evaluate the richness of carnivores around a 3 hectare glade (result of a natural rockslide) at Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (Teresópolis, Brazil). Pictures were collected and birds of pray and medium- to large-sized mammals were identified. Trails were also visually monitored for wildlife presence and known species were recorded.
Pictures taken 5 months after the rockslide (2017).
Pictures taken 5 months after the rockslide (2017).
Pictures taken 2 years after the rockslide (2019).
Pictures taken 2 years after the rockslide (2019).
A stream was spotted and is shown in this picture.
Undergraduate thesis. (2016 - 2018).
Title: Assessment of the Serum Pregnancy-Specific Protein B Test to Determine Pregnancy in Free-Ranging Elk (Cervus elaphus).
Research conducted under the supervision of Dr. Justin Brown on the validation of the serum pregnancy-specific protein B pregnancy test for free-ranging elk in Pennsylvania. Study included a statistical comparison of the test versus the historically used uterine examinations. The period of peak breeding activity was also determined using fetuses of known length according to Morrison et al. (1959). Please click here to read the complete thesis. A manuscript was accepted for publication by the Journal of Wildlife Diseases under the title of "Assessment of a Commercially Available Serum Pregnancy-specific Protein B Test in Free-ranging Elk (Cervus canadensis) in Pennsylvania, USA".
Bioethics capstone project. (2017).
Title: The Ethics of Producing Human Pancreases in Pigs for Transplant as a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes: A Further Elaboration on Pig Welfare.
Evaluated the ethics of the recently researched human-pig chimera practice as an alternative solution to the organ shortage problem. The creature would be generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells introduced into a genetically modified pig embryo. The latter would be targeted for producing and maintaining a given human organ throughout its lifespan for later use. The project involved analyzing the current and prospective treatments for type 1 diabetes, and compare them to the pancreas xenotransplant solution. A further insight on animal welfare was developed to assess the potential harm for the "pigs". Concepts such as the 3Rs of scientific research and animal integrity were analyzed. Current techniques such as 3D printing and in-vitro production of organs were elaborated as alternative treatments for type 1 diabetes. This work was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Jonathan Marks.
The complete paper can be accessed here.
Laboratory rotations. (2016).
Shadowed scientists in the field of pathology/diagnostics at the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Penn State. Assisted in practices including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, necropsy, and histology.
Undergraduate research. (2015 - 2016).
Assisted in a research project under the supervision of Dr. Lara LaDage involving the causes and consequences of variations in the lizard hippocampus among individuals with different spatial behaviors. Activities including performing necropsies, lizard husbandry, brain tissue sectioning, tissue staining, and electronically contouring the brain anatomical sections visible on the slide. Other duties included the routine laboratory labor, such as preparing chemical solutions. Please click here for more information on the research project.
Veterinary and Animal
Veterinary and Animal
Wildlife: Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (PARNASO). (2016 - 2019).
Participated in the project "Fauna Viva", which is mainly concerned with the study of road ecology, including road monitoring for the presence of wildlife. The project is also responsible for monitoring the fauna of PARNASO.
More practically, Fauna Viva provides the opportunity for volunteers in the field of biology and veterinary medicine to aid in welcoming injured animals, husbandry activities, and any veterinary procedure needed (including surgeries, first-aid practices, and emergency care).
During my internship at Fauna Viva, I had the chance to imp a roadside hawk (Rupornis magnirostris). Its feathers were cut at home in an attempt of making it a pet. This work was presented at the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) Symposium 2019. The total recovery period was reduced from approximately 4 months to 15 days. The animal was not anesthetized and I used araldite glue to seal the toothpick/insulin needle bridges to the damaged and new feathers.
Before
After
Equine: Haras Equiprime. (2016).
Actively assisted in daily veterinary practices such as routine examinations, blood drawing, vaccinations, and ultrasounds. Also engaged in horse taming and training.
During my time at Equiprime, I had the opportunity to help with the organization of "The Number One Equiprime International Horse Show". It hosted the forth stage of the the Brazilian Senior Top Championship (Hyundai Circuit), and the Hyundai Grand Prix, which counted points towards the world ranking of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). My main duties during the event were to aid in welcoming horses and trainers, checking the horses' passports, and assistance in any need-based medical intervention.
Picture taken during The Number One Equiprime International Horse Show (2016).
Goat: Fazenda Genève. (2015).
Assisted in routine veterinary practices including physical examinations, vaccinations, and blood drawing. Other activities included aid in the production and inspection of cheeses, during parturitions, and husbandry. Daily duties included trimming hooves.
Small Animals:
Lakemont Veterinary Clinic. (2015).
Shadowed veterinarians during their routines. The clinic is restricted to providing services to dogs and cats. Observed routine examinations, surgeries, radiographies, ultrasounds, blood examinations and diagnoses, hospitalizations, and euthanasias.
Animal Shelters: SOZED and Central PA Humane Society (2014 - 2015).
Assisted with dog and cat husbandry. Main duties included cleaning cages, entertaining and walking with the animals, feeding, and organizing donation events.
Free-lancer. (2014).
Assisted local veterinarian with routine consultations in the patients' home. Animals included dogs, cats, small rodents and birds. For hospitalizations and more complex procedures (such as surgeries and radiographies), the animals were taken to a local clinic.
Work
Work
Port Sky Café at Penn State Altoona. (2016).
Part-time job at the campus cafeteria. Main duties included checking food for quality, washing dishes, stocking food and supplies, packing food, cleaning the dinning halls, serving food, and brewing coffee.
Skills
Skills
Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
Apple iOS (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers)
Languages: native speaker of Portuguese, proficient in English, intermediate knowledge of Spanish, and German (A2 and B1 certifications).
Google Sites
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