Tropibio young researcher visited CIBIO in June 2023

Anna Karoline Azevedo, a Tropibio PhD student, visitedCIBIO to advance her studies on the culturomics of National Parks inSub-Saharan African countries.

Karoline Azevedo, a doctoral candidate in the PostgraduateProgram in Biological Diversity and Conservation in the Tropics, Brazil (PPG-DIBICT,UFAL), has undertaken an international research expedition during the months ofJune and July. Her mission: to strengthen her studies in the field ofculturomics within the context of Sub-Saharan African National Parks and theirinfluence on the management of Environmental Protection Areas (EPAs) inAlagoas. This research is bolstered by significant collaborations, includingthe Tropibio Project, Cibio, and Ufal's DIBICT.

 While in Portugal, Azevedo conducted pivotal analyses forher thesis at CIBIO. Collaborating closely with her advisor Richard Ladle and Tropibioteam members Fernanda Alves Martins and Javier Martínez. This research phase allowed Karoline to delvedeep into the realm of culturomics – an emerging field focused on unravelingthe intricate interactions between human cultures and biodiversity.

Central to Karoline's investigation is the conservation ofnatural landscapes in Sub-Saharan African countries, a region grappling withprofound biodiversity challenges. The application of culturomics withinnational parks offers invaluable insights into the intricate interplay betweenlocal communities and natural resources, profoundly influencing thepreservation of protected areas.

Karol with Thainá Lessa, Claudia Malhado and Richard Ladle at the Tropibio office. 


Karoline working at the Tropibio office.