PEOPLE
The PLENTBio research group includes members from the Alcantara Lab and active collaborators from other laboratories/institutions.
We focus on an integrative approach to the study of PLant Evolution & NeoTropical Biogeography. Click here to get in touch.
SUZANA ALCANTARA
PhD, lab P.I.
I am an evolutionary biologist interested in morphological evolution, plant diversification and biogeography. I combine techniques of molecular systematics, comparative analyses at macro- and micro-evolutionary scales, fieldwork, and computational modeling to address the questions investigated in my research projects. I am especially interested in understanding the processes associated with huge diversity of plant species in the "campos rupestres." Parallel professional interests also include chemical ecology and floral biology.
CRISTIANE RITTER RAUBER
MSc, PhD candidate (PPGFAP-Botany)
I'm a biologist interested in Taxonomic Botany and Ecology. I've extensive field experience in several vegetation types in South Brazil. My doctorate is focusing on ecological niche modeling of species threatened of extinction from the Paraná' state, in order to evaluate the effects of current climatic changes over their potential distribution areas.
LUCIANA PEREIRA DA SILVA
MSc, PhD candidate (PPGFAP-Botany)
I’m a biologist interested in the taxonomy, diversification, and functional evolution in the widespread plant genus Cyperus s.l. (ca. 950 spp.) I have a large experience in fieldwork on Central Brazil (especially in the Pantanal, the Cerrado, and South Brazilian grasslands) and my PhD is an integrative study focusing on anatomical/ecophysiological/taxonomic analyses and molecular systematics approaches of this group.
VICTOR SOARES SANTIBAÑEZ
BSc. Biological Sciences & English - UFSC
Master Student (PPGFAP-Botany)
Victor is our computer guy, pursuing an expertise in bioinformatics. He finished an undergrad thesis about the phylogenomics analyses based on a RAD-seq dataset of Velloziaceae in 2019 and is now carrying on a master thesis with phylogenetics of Pseudotrimezia based on the same markers. He also has a degree on English Language from UFSC and gives private lessons for English learners.
TAISE MILENA GONÇALVES
BSc. Biological Sciences - Univille
Master Student (PPGFAP-Botany)
I'm a biologist interested in the evolutionary processes associated with angiosperms diversification. During my master, I'm investigating the composition of floristic communities in restingas (coastal dunes), through ecological and evolutionary approaches. More specifically, I'm measuring the effects of abiotic aspects on the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, in order to identify hotsposts of evolutionary potential.
MAURICIO VELHO SEZERINO
BSc. Biological Sciences - UDESC
Master Student (PPGFAP-Botany)
I'm an enthusiastic person, able to do beauty in almost anything. As a plural personality, my interests are also focused on (bio)diversity questions. I'm currently working with biogeography and my main question is: Where did the lineages occurring today in the restingas of Santa Catarina come from?
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PAST LAB MEMBERS
JESSICA SALDANHA MANCIO
Biological Sciences - UFSC
Undergrad Thesis
Jessica was the first member to join the Alcantara Lab and the main responsible for this website design and the PLENTBio social media. She had worked on the floristic study about Violaceae in SC and did her undergrad thesis focusing on the ecological niche modeling of Velloziaceae, by investigating the effect of soil variables to the species distribution.
MARIANA ADAMI BORGERT
Biological Sciences - UFSC
Undergrad Science Internship (2018-2020)
Mariana is an artist, with incredible skills for botanical illustration and watercolor. She did a floristic study about the genus Hyppeastrum in SC and draw the artwork of our group logotype. She is now pursuing a master degree about the ecology of invasive plant species.
PAULA LAROCCA
2018-2020: Master degree-Biology of Fungi, Algae & Plants (PPGFAP)
Lattes
PATRICIA PADILHA
2017-2019: Master degree-Biology of Fungi, Algae & Plants (PPGFAP)
Lattes
ISABELLE DODGE: 2018: Undergrad Student UFSC- Science Internship
ISAAC SACRAMENTO: 2018: Internship on Machine learning applied to bioinformatics - ResearchGate profile
LAB VISITORS & EXTERNAL PLENTBio MEMBERS
ANA LUIZA
Most regular lab visitor since Jan 2016
Ana Luiza likes anything related to dinosaurs and to talk to ants when walking on the street. Most recently she is also making plans for genetic improvement of Handroanthus and Tabebuia, aiming to provide a blue-ipê cultivar for urban landscaping.
LUANA PROCHAZKA
PhD prospective at UFABC, visit May-June 2019
I’ve a BSc. degree in Biological Sciences and my major goal is to investigate how mutualistic interactions can be associated with the evolution of morphofunctional traits in plants. I’m currently working on a research project that aims to describe the macroevolutionary patterns of extrafloral nectaries (NEFs) in a lineage of the legume family and the putative correlation between NEFs and environmental variables.
THAÍS NOGALES VASCONCELOS
Professor at University of Michigan,
visit November 2018
My research focuses on how traits and geographic distribution are linked to macroevolutionary patterns in plants. I have used the Myrtaceae family and now the Brazilian campos rupestres as models to understand these connections. I'm also interested in plant systematics (especially Myrtaceae) and floral morphology, ecology and evolution.
MARIA CECÍLIA DIAS COSTA
Post Doc-University of South Africa,
visit May 2018
The main focus of my work is in understanding how most seeds and certain plants tolerate extreme dehydration. I am also interested in teaching and communicating science.
JULIANA LOVO
