River courses have always fascinated Juliana Leal. Born in Cachoeira de Macacu, a city in Rio de Janeiro known for its crystal clear waterways, the scientist had a childhood full of bathing in the river, collecting tadpoles, shrimp and fish. These experiences shaped her passion for ecosystem ecology, where she tries to understand the intricate links between aquatic life and riverine vegetation.

The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro hosted his academic training from his undergraduate degree in biological sciences to his master’s and doctorate in ecology. Leal also had a postdoctoral period at the same institution. Her academic trajectory also took her to important research centres worldwide, such as the United States and Germany. His project is an analysis and adaptation to the tropical context of the complex food mosaic that relates the incidence of sunlight, riverine vegetation, microorganisms and animals in aquatic ecosystems. Outside of laboratories and academic research, the biologist seeks the tranquillity of gardening and floral arrangements to stay grounded and connected with nature.