Aline Souza
Life Sciences
Driven by a passion for the natural world, Aline Souza began her scientific journey with a degree in biological sciences from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). She went on to earn a master’s degree in botany from the National School of Tropical Botany and a PhD in ecology from UFRJ, which included a six-month research period at Duke University in the United States. Her research advances our understanding of the impact of human activities on the Atlantic Rainforest’s biodiversity, with a particular focus on palm populations to refine ecological niche modeling and species distribution techniques.
Beyond her dedication to research, Aline finds joy in exploring diverse cultures and embarking on enriching travel experiences. Immersion in nature allows her to recharge. She also enjoys entertaining friends and family with cheerful and tasty home-cooked meals.
Projects
Human activities, such as climate change and land use change, are dramatically altering the geographic distribution of species around the world, leading to biodiversity loss. Ecological niche modeling is a powerful tool for predicting these shifts, but current models often lack critical details. This project aims to improve the predictive power of these models by incorporating genetic, physiological, and demographic data, focusing on palm species important for biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest. This refined approach will allow us to more accurately predict the impacts of climate change and land use on biodiversity, to better identify species at risk, and to develop more effective conservation strategies in the face of ongoing environmental change.
