IGAPÓ
Institute
[igaˈpɔ] (Old Tupi) root forest
Amazon Rainforest Conservation Association
CNPJ: 58.702.151/0001-71
+55 92 99155-1217
Meet our team
Instituto Igapó is made up of a multidisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to the conservation of the Amazon. Our team includes biologists, environmental educators, wildlife specialists, bioinformaticians, environmental technicians, and veterinary professionals working across different areas such as scientific research, environmental education, wildlife management, field logistics, and the rehabilitation of wild animals.
In addition to our technical team, we have an advisory board composed of experts with extensive experience in conservation, wildlife management, and environmental policy. Together, we work to connect science and society, promoting actions that integrate biodiversity protection, technical training, and community engagement in the Amazon region.
Technical Team
MSc. Ana Rita Gonçalves
Programs Director
Ana holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Coimbra and a Master's degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Lisbon, both in Portugal. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Biological Sciences at the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA) in Manaus, Brazil. Her doctoral project, funded by the National Geographic Society, focuses on large-scale taxonomic descriptions of megadiverse groups, integrating evolutionary and biogeographical elements. She has experience in planning and executing research projects, scientific expeditions, ecotourism activities, and educational programs across various ecosystems, including regions in South Africa, Central and South America, and Europe.
General Director
MSc. Sam Martins
Bachelor in Biology and Master in Ecology and Environmental Management from the University of Lisbon, Portugal. He has training and experience in Wildlife Rehabilitation. He has extensive experience in planning and participating in various scientific projects and expeditions across different regions of the world, particularly in Europe and the Americas. During his master’s degree, he studied the movement ecology of several bat species in the Iberian Peninsula. He is currently dedicated to coordinating Instituto Igapó, organizing symposiums, courses, and environmental education activities.
Dr. Neves Viana
Coordinator of Turtle Conservation and Research Projects
Prof. Neves holds a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM, 1995), a Master's degree in Genetics and Evolution from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar, 1997), and a PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA, 2005). Prof. Neves is currently an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Amazonas and Coordinator of the Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory. She is also a member of the Association of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists of the Amazon.
Prof. Neves teaches Biochemistry for Health and Biological Sciences courses and has experience in Molecular Biochemistry, with an emphasis on Molecular Biology. Her work primarily focuses on Molecular Genetics, Population Genetics, Phylogeny, Phylogeography, and Molecular Ecology. Her research includes Ecology and Conservation Genetics of Amazonian turtles. Prof. Neves is currently developing a participatory turtle management project in riverside and Indigenous communities, promoting practices of conscious, ecological tourism and environmental education.
MSc. Samanta Pereira
Biologist
Biologist with a degree from UNIPAMPA and a Master's in Animal Biodiversity from UFSM. During her undergraduate studies, she evaluated the composition and distribution of bird species in native grasslands and regenerating fields in the Pampa biome. For her Master's research, she investigated how the environment influences the spatial distribution of species within plant-hummingbird interaction networks and beta diversity at the community and interaction levels. She worked on the Virus Surveillance Network Project (PREVIR) – RedeVirus MCTI, in the central Amazon, in collaboration with INPA. She has experience in bird surveys, plant-pollinator interaction networks, community ecology, and environmental education.
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MSc. Érico Polo
Biologist
Érico holds a degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of São João del Rei (UFSJ) and a Master's in Genetics, Conservation, and Evolutionary Biology from the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), where he focused his research on the biogeography and evolution of birds in the Amazon region. Throughout his academic journey, he developed an interest and skills in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, which he now integrates into his research and teaching activities, focusing on Macro- and Microevolutionary Molecular Biology, Biogeography, and Genomics. He also teaches courses such as Bioinformatics for Biotechnology and Genetics and Evolution for Natural Sciences, believing in the importance of contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the training of new professionals in the educational and scientific fields.
Evelyn Barroso
Environmental Educator
A fifth-semester Biological Sciences student at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), she has been dedicated to studying Amazonian biodiversity, with an emphasis on conservation and environmental education. Committed to preserving the Amazon Rainforest, she is involved in scientific research, conservation, and educational initiatives, promoting interactive activities that bring the community closer to nature. Her work focuses especially on schools in Manaus, raising awareness about the importance of Amazon conservation.
MSc. Idamara Santa Cruz
Biologist
Idamara Santa Cruz holds a degree in Biological Sciences (2017) from the Escola Superior Batista do Amazonas. She was a FAPEAM Scientific Initiation fellow at the Laboratory of Systematics and Taxonomy of Diptera at the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA). Between 2015 and 2016, she developed the project titled "Study of the Diptera Fauna of the Suborder Brachycera (Insecta) in Urban Forest Fragments of Manaus, AM", and from 2016 to 2017, she conducted the project "Taxonomic Study of Amazonian Species of the Genus Ochthera Latreille (Diptera, Ephydridae)". In 2018, she worked as a trainer in the "Indigenous Knowledge in Schools" initiative by the Secretariat for Continuing Education, Literacy, Diversity and Inclusion (SECADI/MEC), North Network/UFAM Hub, as part of the Continuing Education Course for Indigenous Teachers in Monolingual and Bilingual Literacy. She is currently a collaborator in data collection for the MULTIUFAM Project under the theme Water and Environment, focusing on the study "The Water Bodies of UFAM: Structure, Water Quality, Territorial Management, Environmental Education, and Aquatic Vertebrate Ecology in the Capital of Amazonas." She also collaborates on the ongoing project "Conservation Status and Threats of Caiman Populations in the Brazilian Central Amazon." In addition, she works with the Wildlife Management Laboratory, with an emphasis on Amazonian crocodilians. She holds a Master's degree in Freshwater Biology and Inland Fisheries (PPG-BADPI/INPA).
MSc. Kelly Oliveira
Environmental Educator
Kelly Oliveira holds a degree in Biological Sciences and a Master’s degree in Science and Mathematics Education. Since 2021, she has been part of Rede Emancipa, a popular education movement, where she works as a social activist. Between 2016 and 2020, she volunteered with the OSCIP Litro de Luz Brasil and the NGO Greenpeace, contributing to projects that promote access to sustainable energy and environmental protection, respectively.
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BSc. Karoline Souza
Biologist
Karoline Souza holds a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Amazonas (2023). During her undergraduate studies, through a scientific initiation program, she had the opportunity to work on movement patterns and translocation of Caiman crocodilus and Paleosuchus trigonatus (2019–2021), as well as on the movement of Rhinemys rufipes and Rhinoclemmys punctularia (2021–2022), both in a forest fragment isolated within an urban matrix. She also participated in the project “LABZOO: from the university to the community” (2019).
She completed courses in Endemic Disease Control Agent (2021–2022) and Venomous Animals: Biology and Identification (2023). She is currently a Master's student in the Graduate Program in Zoology at UFAM, funded by FAPEAM. Karoline collaborates on the MULTIUFAM project titled “The Water Bodies of UFAM: Structure, Water Quality, Territorial Management, Environmental Education, and Aquatic Vertebrate Ecology in the Capital of Amazonas” (2018–present). She is also a member of the Wildlife Management Laboratory – LABFAUNA.
Deborah Abecassis
Social Media Content Creator
Biotechnology undergraduate at the Federal University of Amazonas, with a strong interest in genetics, bioinformatics, and science communication. She works at the Molecular Biology Laboratory at UFAM and is part of the Igapó Institute team, contributing to content creation and social media management to help bridge science and society in support of Amazon conservation.
Advisory Committee
Dr. Ronis da Silveira
Dr. Ronis Da Silveira holds a Bachelor's degree (1988) and a teaching certification (1989) in Biological Sciences from the University of São Paulo. Dr. Ronis earned a Master’s degree (1994) and Ph.D. (2001) in Ecology from the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA). Dr. Ronis is a Full Professor at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) in Manaus. He has extensive experience in Zoology, Ecology, and Ethnoconservation, with a focus on the management, monitoring, and conservation of wildlife in both Strictly Protected and Sustainable Use Conservation Units, as well as in Indigenous Lands in the Brazilian Amazon. Dr. Ronis is a specialist in crocodilians and co-coordinator of Crocodylia Brasil.
Dr. Diogo Faria
Dr. Diogo Faria holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Paraná (2005). He has a specialization in the management of endangered species (2015) from the University of Kent, England, and a Master's degree in Ecology (2022) from the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA). Between 2005 and 2015, Dr. Diogo worked as an environmental analyst at IBAMA in the state of Amazonas, primarily at the Wild Animal Rescue Center. He is currently an environmental analyst at ICMBio/MMA, working at the National Center for Research and Conservation of Amazonian Biodiversity (CEPAM) in Manaus, Amazonas. Dr. Diogo serves as the executive coordinator of the National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Black-mantled Tamarin and is a member of the Primate Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
MSc. Carlos Durigan
MSc. Carlos Durigan holds a degree in Geography from São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho – UNESP (Teaching degree – 1989 and Bachelor’s degree – 1990) and a Master’s degree in Ecology from the National Institute of Amazonian Research – INPA (1998). He has over three decades of experience in environmental conservation, the establishment and management of protected areas, and participatory management and research projects throughout Brazil, especially in the Amazon.
MSc. Carlos also has extensive experience in designing and managing complex, multidisciplinary projects and strategic partnerships involving a wide range of stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations. From 2013 to 2024, he served as director of WCS-Brazil (Wildlife Conservation Society).
Dr. Marcela Magalhães
Dr. Marcela Magalhães holds a degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte – UFRN (2007), a Master’s degree (2010), and a PhD (2017) in Biological Sciences from the National Institute of Amazonian Research – INPA. She is an Associate Professor IV in the Department of Morphology at the Federal University of Amazonas – UFAM, where she teaches General Histology, Comparative Histology, and Developmental Biology.
She supervises Master’s and PhD students in the graduate programs in Freshwater Biology and Inland Fisheries (INPA) and Animal Science and Fishery Resources (UFAM). Dr. Marcela coordinates the Wild Animal Morphology Research Group (GPMAS) and is a member of the Brazilian Society of Ecotoxicology (ECOTOX BRASIL). Her research focuses on Animal Morphophysiology, Comparative Anatomy and Histology, Reproductive Morphophysiology, Developmental Biology, Ecotoxicology, and the Conservation of reptiles, with an emphasis on turtles.
MSc. Laérzio Neto
MSc. Laérzio Neto holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Paraná (2004), with a specialization in Animal Morphophysiology from the Federal University of Lavras and a specialization in Didactics from Nilton Lins University. He also holds a Master's degree in Animal Science and Fishery Resources from UFAM.
He is currently a professor at FAMETRO, where he teaches courses related to the health and management of wildlife. MSc. Laérzio has extensive experience in wildlife clinical care and surgery, having worked at CETRAS (Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers) since 2004. His work is essential for training new professionals in veterinary medicine and for biodiversity conservation in the Amazon, significantly contributing to the protection and care of wildlife species in the region.
Dra. Alessandra Nava
Dr. Alessandra Nava holds a degree and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine with an emphasis on Epidemiology. Her research focuses on the impacts of human activity on the emergence of zoonoses in wildlife and humans, with emphasis on disease ecology, public health, and conservation medicine. Since 2014, she has been a researcher at the Leônidas and Maria Deane Institute – FIOCRUZ Amazônia, working in the Laboratory of Ecology of Transmissible Diseases in the Amazon.
She is a faculty member in Fiocruz's graduate programs (Bi-Interaction, PPGVIDA, and ProfSaúde), and a member of the Global Health Academy at the University of Edinburgh, the Planetary Health lab, and the IUCN Peccary Specialist Group.
Dra. Veridiana Scudeller
Dr. Veridiana Scudeller holds a degree in Biological Sciences from São Paulo State University (UNESP – Rio Claro), a master’s in Botany from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), and a PhD in Plant Biology from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in 2002. Since 2009, she has been a professor at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), where she teaches undergraduate courses such as Morphology and Taxonomy of Spermatophytes I and II, Floristic Inventory, and Urban Forests, as well as graduate courses in Ethnoconservation and Environmental Perception.She has worked in the Tupé Sustainable Development Reserve on floristic inventories, the use of forest and non-forest resources, and the appreciation of traditional knowledge. Her work also includes improving the teaching and outreach of everyday botany, identifying and labeling flora on the UFAM campus, and cataloging Amazonian species. More recently, her research has focused on the distribution of tree species in igapó and campinarana ecosystems. She is also affiliated with UFAM's graduate programs in Forest and Environmental Sciences (PPGCIFA) and Environmental Sciences and Sustainability in the Amazon (PPG CASA).
Dr. Tainara Sobroza
Dr. Tainara Sobroza is a biologist who graduated from the Federal University of Santa Maria (2012) and holds a master’s and PhD in Ecology from the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA). Her interests lie in Mammalogy, Primatology, and the use of sound as a tool for species delimitation, population estimates, and gathering information on interactions and habitats. She is also interested in understanding the origin, flexibility, and geographic patterns of signals used by animals for communication.
Dr. Tainara seeks to apply sound and other tools to raise awareness and train people on topics related to zoology and conservation. She is currently a substitute professor at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), where she works with the conservation program "Projeto Sauim-de-Coleira." She also collaborates with the Center for Integrated Studies of Amazonian Biodiversity (CENBAM), conducting inventories of primates and other acoustically active groups. She has experience in the curation of acoustic data and databases from long-term projects. Dr. Tainara is affiliated with the graduate program in Conservation and Use of Natural Resources at the Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR).
Dr. Antônio Carlos Webber
Dr. Webber is a renowned botanist who has dedicated his career to teaching and research in the reproductive biology of plants. With a trajectory marked by significant contributions to science, he has distinguished himself in the study of floral biology, pollination, and phenology, with an emphasis on the Annonaceae family.
He earned his degree in Biological Sciences from São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (1977), and obtained both his master’s (1981) and PhD (1996) in Botany from the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA). Throughout his career, he served as an Associate Professor II at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) and was also a collaborator at INPA, in addition to being part of the editorial board of the journal Acta Amazonica.
His commitment to training new generations of biologists and his dynamic teaching style have made him an academic reference. In 2019, he was the first recipient of the Wanderlei Tadei Award (Biology Highlights), in recognition of his contributions to the field.
MSc. José Pinheiro
MSc. Pinheiro holds a degree in Biological Sciences, with specialization in Health and Environmental Management. He has a master's degree in Emerging Technologies in Education. He has experience in the control of endemic diseases and zoonoses. He provides technical advisory services in the areas of Environment and Health. He currently serves as President of the Regional Council of Biology of the 6th Region (CRBio-06) and holds a position on the Board of a non-governmental organization focused on the protection and conservation of chiropterans. He has worked on the development of a biological collections database, with an emphasis on geoprocessing. He is currently working in the teaching field in the State of Amazonas.