Biologist Guilherme Longo, a professor of oceanography and limnology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, holds a PhD in ecology from the University of Santa Catarina and completed his post-doctoral work at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States. Guilherme is spearheading a multidisciplinary project that aims to reconstruct the historical state of Brazilian corals through interviews and archival research. Utilizing current data, he plans to predict the future of these vital marine resources using mathematical models. He is also the founder of #DeOlhoNosCorais, a citizen science initiative that encourages public participation in the monitoring of Brazilian corals. Guilherme’s lifelong connection with water has been a constant source of inspiration, and he credits many of his project ideas to his time spent in the shower.
Guilherme Ortigara Longo
Life Sciences
Projects
Global change poses a significant threat to reef environments, leading to increased temperatures and ocean acidification. However, the impacts on Brazilian reefs remain largely unexplored. Our goal is to bridge this knowledge gap by integrating information about the past, present, and future of reefs from multiple perspectives. Our approach includes: (i) identifying the baseline state of reef health using historical data; (ii) predicting the future of reefs through mathematical modeling; (iii) implementing scientific coral monitoring, which includes 3-D modeling and molecular biology; (iv) setting up a mesocosm system for laboratory simulations of global change; and (v) initiating citizen monitoring of reef environments through recreational diving and an interactive online platform. By merging advanced science with community participation, we aim to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts of global change on Brazilian reefs, potentially spurring public action to mitigate these effects.
Amount invested
2nd phase: R$ 999,800.00 (R$ 700,000.00 + R$ 299,800.00 optional bonus for the integration and training of people from underrepresented groups in science)
