Affectionately known as Maraca, Leandro Maracahipes is a biologist who studies the vulnerability of plants to environmental stresses such as fire and drought, seeking to unravel the secrets of the interactions between savanna ecosystems and natural disturbances. Leandro, the eldest son of a family of small farmers, has always been close to soil and plant landscapes. Born in Nova Xavantina, Leandro earned his degree in biology from the State University of Mato Grosso, where he also completed his master’s in ecology and conservation. He then pursued a PhD in ecology and evolution at the Federal University of Goiás. He underwent a postdoctoral period at the Institute of Biology at the State University of Campinas.

He has experience in major research institutions and is an advising professor in the Tropical Botany Postgraduate Program at the Federal Rural University of the Amazon. He has contributed as a researcher at the Yale School of the Environment in the United States, as well as the Amazon Environmental Research Institute. Beyond his deep involvement in research, Maraca is a fervent Flamengo fan and enjoys playing soccer, cards, and pool. He relaxes by running while listening to good music. Like many, he also learned to bake homemade bread during the pandemic lockdown, following his mother’s affectionate guidance over the phone. The scientist considers visits to nature and data collection as crucial moments of inspiration for his scientific projects.