Tereza Giannini holds a PhD in Ecology from the University of São Paulo (USP) and is a biologist at the same university’s Institute of Biosciences, having worked at the Naturalis Museum in Leiden, Holland, and at the Center for Ecology and Hydrology in Edinburgh, Scotland. As an associate researcher at ITV DS, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in biodiversity databases at USP’s Polytechnic School, including a research period at the University of Rio Negro in Bariloche, Argentina.

Rafael Valadares holds a PhD in Soils and Plant Nutrition from the Luiz de Queiroz School of Agriculture (Esalq/USP), a master’s degree in Agricultural Microbiology, and is an agronomist from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). He was a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture at the University of São Paulo (Cena-/USP). As a researcher at ITV DS, he focuses on soil microbiology and biochemistry, plant-microorganism interaction, and proteomics applied to environmental analysis.

Sâmia Nunes holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences from Lancaster University, UK (2016), a master’s degree in Forest Ecosystems from the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (Esalq/USP), and a degree in Forest Engineering from the Federal Rural University of Amazonia (UFRA). As a researcher at ITV DS and vice-coordinator of the Professional Master’s Degree in Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, she works on forest landscape restoration, public policies, and the application of the Native Vegetation Protection Act.

Santelmo Vasconcelos holds a PhD in Plant Biology, a master’s degree in Genetics, and a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, all from the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE). He completed internships at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew). He has been an adjunct researcher at ITV DS since 2015, with experience in genetics, molecular biology, metagenomics, phylogenetic systematics, and genomic evolution, focusing on vascular plants and cave-dwelling invertebrates from the Amazon.

Maria das Graças Ferraz Bezerra holds a PhD in Social Sciences from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), a master’s degree in Political Science, a degree in Philosophy, and a specialization in International Science and Technology Policy. She has been working as a senior researcher at ITV DS, focusing on public policies, innovation, biodiversity, and biotechnology. She has led and participated in councils and coordinating bodies for technological innovation in the Amazon. She is also a collaborating professor and advisor in graduate programs.

Rosa Paes holds a PhD and a master’s degree in Agronomy from São Paulo State University (UNESP), and a degree in Agronomy from the Federal Rural University of Amazonia (UFRA). She has been working as an assistant researcher at ITV DS, focusing on soil management and conservation, agribusiness, ecological-economic zoning, territorial studies, mining, and the Amazon.

Juliana Galaschi holds a PhD in Entomology from the University of São Paulo (USP), a master’s degree in Biosciences (Zoology) from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), and a degree in Biological Sciences from PUCRS. As a researcher at ITV DS, she works in Zoology with an emphasis on Entomology, focusing on geometric morphometrics, chemical and molecular markers, and pollinators, particularly stingless bees.

Valente Matlaba holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, and a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of São Paulo (USP). Since 2012, he has been a researcher and lecturer at ITV DS, having served as coordinator and vice-coordinator of the Professional Master’s Degree in Sustainable Use of Natural Resources. His works focuses on regional and urban economics, socioeconomics, mining, communities, and statistical and econometric models.

José Bitencourt holds a PhD and a master’s degree in Marine Biology from the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), and a degree in Biological Sciences from the same institution. At ITV DS, he works in canga microbiology, with experience in bioremediation, marine microbiology, bioleaching, microscopy, and biology education at various levels. His research focuses on interactions between marine organisms and environmental parameters, with an emphasis on bacteria, pollution, and heavy metals.