Curriculum Vitae
Educational background
- 2008-present: PhD Multitrophic interactions in plant invasion
Thesis subject: “Above and belowground insect interactions on an invasive plant, Bunias orientalis (Brassicales, Brassicaceae)”
Supervised by Prof. dr. Louise Vet and Dr. Jeffrey Harvey
- 2006-2008: MSc in Ecology and Environmental Management, University of Lisbon, Faculty of Sciences, Portugal
Thesis subject: “Kairomonal response of the parasitoid Anagyrus spec. nov. near pseudococci (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) to the sex pheromone of the mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae)” Approved with Excellent (19/20)
Supervised by Prof. dr. José Franco and Prof. dr. Maria Teresa Rebelo
- 2006: Internship in Ecology and Population dynamics of bats, Saint Mary's and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
Projects:
“Female colonies social structure of the bat species, Myotis septentrionalis”
“Identification protocol of two bat species, Myotis septentrionalis and Myotis lucifugus, based on echolocation detection, through automated ultrasonic detectors”
Supervised by Dr. Hugh Broders and Dr. Marty Leonard
- 2001-2005: Licenciatura in Terrestrial Environmental Biology, University of Lisbon, Faculty of Sciences, Portugal
Projects:
“Aphid predation of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera) and Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera)”
“Fire impact on the dynamics of Mediterranean vegetation, Serra Arrábida Natural Park, Portugal”
“Biotic and abiotic influence on the abundance of Podarcis carbonelli berlengensis, in Berlenga Island, Portugal”
Research Interests
(1)Plant quality of native versus invasive species and its effects on herbivores and parasitoids; linking above- and belowground multitrophic interactions via plant defense
Some plants are shifting their ranges northwards in response to climate warming. Many invasive plants are known to be released from their native enemies, establishing in new areas. However, the mechanisms facilitating these processes are poorly understood. In my PhD I’m interested in understanding the complexity of multitrophic interactions in plant invasion within its invasive range, focusing on the impact of invasive plants in the associated above and belowground insect community (plant-herbivore-parasitoid interactions). Furthermore, since herbivory may play an important role in the control of invasive plants, parasitoids as efficient natural enemies of those herbivores may enhance the success of plant invasion. Ultimately, I’m interested in understanding how these altered plant-enemies interactions my influence the plant abundance in its invasive range. In our research we combine experimental approaches both in greenhouse and under natural field conditions.
(2)Life-history, performance and developmental strategies in parasitoids
Studies with invasive plants have focused mostly on plant-herbivore interactions. However, integrating higher trophic levels into these studies will provide important information to help us to understand the success of potential invaders. We describe interactions involving an invasive plant, specialist and generalist herbivores and the performance its parasitoids. To test the plant quality effect on different life-histories of parasitoids, we compared koinobiont versus idiobiont strategies. The results will help to elucidate which types of natural enemies will be most negatively affected by invasive plants containing novel compounds to which they are not adapted.
(3)Biological control
Biological control tactics are widespread and they have been applied since there is an environmental conscience for negative impact of many exotic species, outcompeting the invaded natural communities. Furthermore, the need to maintain a highly productive agricultural system in long term soon helped to wake up for the negative impacts of the pesticides in the ecosystems. In this sense, there was an aim to implement a more sustainable agriculture, based in practices more environmental friendly. Parasitoids, such as parasitic wasps, are commonly used as biological control agents to control pests in many crops all over the world. Behavioral studies on the learning of host cues and plant odors are therefore of highly importance to an efficient pest control by parasitoids. During my master thesis I studied the kairomonal response of a mealybug parasitoid to its host pheromone and honeydew. In addition, the potencial chemoreceptors involded in this interaction were identified.
Projects
PhD project: Above and belowground insect interactions on an invasive plant, Bunias orientalis (Brassicales, Brassicaceae)
Student project: Do insect communities differ in native and invasive plant species: a field approach
Note: If you are looking for a nice project, including field observations and laboratorial approach, please contact me!
Links
http://www.europe-aliens.org/index.jsp
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