Thais Quintão
Life Sciences
More than a passion, the ocean has always been Thais Quintão’s reality. Growing up with coral reefs in her backyard, she was naturally drawn to oceanography as a career, while never giving up her love of surfing. Quintão holds a degree in oceanography from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), as well as a master’s degree in environmental oceanography and a PhD in animal biology from the same university.
Thais leads the PROEXO Brasil project, which uses environmental DNA to monitor the biodiversity of Brazilian reefs and detect invasive species at an early stage, particularly in port areas and around oceanic islands. By combining this cutting-edge technology with autonomous monitoring structures, the project aims to improve the health management of reef ecosystems, increasing the chances of conservation and mitigating the impact of biological invasions.
Inspired in her youth by Carl Sagan’s books, Quintão now shares that passion for science with her son. Between walks exploring the wonders of the ocean and discussing the mysteries of the universe, she finds joy in making science magical for him.
Projects
Protecting Brazil’s vibrant coral reef ecosystems requires vigilant monitoring of their biodiversity. Introducing exotic species through maritime trade poses a significant threat to these fragile environments. Ports, as epicenters of potential invasions, are priority areas for monitoring. This project will use environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess the biodiversity of Brazilian reefs and detect exotic species in port areas and around oceanic islands. This method analyses trace amounts of DNA in the environment to identify the species that inhabit it. Early detection through eDNA analysis increases the chances of successfully eradicating invasive species. By combining eDNA analysis with autonomous monitoring structures, the project will provide an unprecedentedly detailed diagnosis of the main invasion points in Brazil.
