Training in Quantitative Ecology
Training in Quantitative Ecology
The Training Program in Quantitative Ecology is an interdisciplinary program that brings together different scientific traditions to find answers to complex ecological questions. It provides an environment that fosters scientific inquiry and strengthens the intellectual autonomy of early-career researchers at a pivotal point in their careers, before they begin their doctoral programs. The program sits at the intersection of various fields, integrating statistics, mathematics, data science, and computer science into ecological research. The intensive training consists of about 380 hours of work and includes speakers and instructors from Brazil and abroad.
Program Structure
The training program is free and in-person, organized into two complementary parts:
Summer course (January and February): Brings together up to 30 participants for an immersive training focused on formulating scientific questions and exploring quantitative tools, such as statistical and mathematical modeling, remote sensing, and machine learning. This stage includes two weeks of scientific immersion with seminars, mentoring by leading researchers from Brazil and abroad, and workshops on science communication.
Field course (July): Up to 16 participants from the summer institute (including previous years) are selected to participate in a three-week immersion in a Brazilian biome. Multidisciplinary student teams experience end-to-end research in practice, combining on-site observation, natural history, experimental design, and data analysis and synthesis.
The connection between the two modules allows participants to experience key steps in the scientific process. By combining theoretical modeling, rigorous experimental design, and fieldwork, the program integrates different ways of investigating the natural world. This approach enables a multi-angle analysis of complex ecological problems by incorporating conceptual languages, methods, and forms of knowledge into a broader, more collaborative spectrum of science.
Ultimately, we aim to develop a diverse, independent, and close-knit network of young scientists who are trained to collaborate in diverse groups, transcend disciplinary boundaries, and promote innovation in ecological research.
Who Is Eligible for the Training?
The program is designed for individuals at pre-doctoral stages of their academic Careers (those who have completed an undergraduate degree, current master’s students, or recent master’s graduates) who are affiliated with Brazilian higher-education institutions, in any field of study.
It offers an opportunity for those seeking to change fields, move closer to ecology, or develop a stronger, more integrated quantitative foundation for their research path.
We seek students from diverse academic backgrounds who share curiosity and an interest in exploring a wide range of topics and methodological approaches in ecology.
Participants must have a collaborative mindset and be willing to work in teams. We value individuals who are open to crossing disciplinary boundaries, willing to learn new languages and methodologies, and willing to share their knowledge through peer-to-peer exchange.
Scientific Coordination
2021–2022: Ricardo Martínez-García (Center for Advanced Systems Understanding [CASUS] and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf [HZDR])
2022–2025: Flávia Marquitti (State University of Campinas, Unicamp)
2025–2026: Caio Mattos (Federal University of Santa Catarina/Instituto Relva)
For the 2026–2027 cycle, the scientific coordination committee consists of Bianca Rius (CRBE/Toulouse), Raul Costa-Pereira (State University of Campinas, Unicamp), and Thiago Rangel (Federal University of Goiás).
Previous Editions
The first three editions were held in partnership with the South American Institute for Fundamental Research (ICTP-SAIFR). Due to the pandemic, the first edition took place as a shorter, fully remote workshop, July 5-30, 2021.
The second and third editions were held in person at the ICTP-SAIFR headquarters in São Paulo. The second edition lasted five months, from July through November 2022.
Starting with the 2023 edition, the program consists of two modules: a summer institute in January and February and a field course in July.
Meet the faculty and selected students from the program’s 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 , and 2026 cohorts.
Check out the highlights from the 2023, 2024 , and 2025 field course editions.
Alumni Testimonials
Maria Napolitani
Master’s student in genetics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), participated in the 2024 edition of the program.
The program’s interdisciplinary nature was essential in fostering my proactivity as a student and future researcher. I met faculty and students from different fields of study, in Brazil and abroad. I learned about various tools for quantifying and studying biodiversity, from mathematical formulas to field experiments and creative ways to test hypotheses. I completed the program with a mathematical model in my thesis, along with connections and ideas that let me forge unconventional paths throughout my academic journey.
Guilherme Couto
M.S. in computational modeling from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), participated in the 2026 edition of the training program.
I didn’t really have much idea of how many possible applications of computing there were in ecology. I learned that you can use machine learning to classify vegetation types or model ecosystem connectivity using graph theory to better understand animal dynamics. In fact, I learned a lot about statistics from my ecology colleagues and applied those lessons to my master’s thesis.
Carlene Gomes
Master’s student in ecology at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), participated in the 2024 edition of the program.
After participating in the program, ecological questions took on an even more quantitative dimension. I gained the confidence to explore new topics and tools, and I began to see processes and patterns at different scales. Sharing ideas and learning from people with diverse backgrounds, career paths, and perspectives was also a fundamental part of the experience that helped transform my perspective on ecology.
Renan Brito
Ph.D. candidate in physical geography at the University of São Paulo (USP), participated in the 2026 edition of the training program.
As someone with a background closely tied to Earth science, being part of a diverse group showed me the importance of bringing different fields together when developing scientific projects. Working on comprehensive projects allowed me to contribute my perspective while learning new techniques and skills. This experience broadened my perspective on the possibilities of scientific collaboration and has already proven useful in my career.
Pedro Paulo Souza Lopes
M.S. in ecology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), participated in the 2025 edition of the Training Program.
When I decided to pursue a scientific career, I had good questions but rarely had the means to answer them. The training program broadened my horizons, taught me different methodologies, and introduced me to various ways of doing and thinking about science.
