I am an entomologist and my research interest is centered in the evolution, systematics and taxonomy of Insecta, with emphasis in Coleoptera, mostly the families Lycidae and Omethidae (including Telegeusinae), and other neotenous groups. I am particularly interested in how neoteny affects speciation, morphology and biology within these groups, and to investigate these phenomena I employ an integrative approach, utilizing traditional morphology and molecular data.
I have been interested in insects and invertebrates since I was a little kid and almost nothing in the world makes me more happy than looking at an animal and knowing its name. I was born and raised in Brazil, where I earned my degree in Biological Sciences by Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul and a Master’s in Systematics, Animal Taxonomy and Biodiversity by the Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo.
Since 2016 I am a PhD student at Montana State Univeristy, where I develop my studies with systematics, taxonomy and evolution of Elateroidea. My dissertation is focused on the taxonomy and systematics of Leptolycini (Lycidae, Lycinae), a group of neotenous lycids under the supervision of Dr. Michael A. Ivie. Besides entomology, I am interested in history of entomology and zoology and problems and challenges of using biodiversity information of natural history museums.
