Q: What “day to day” type activities that you do?
My day-to-day activities are quite dynamic. Much of my time is spent reading and writing, interspersed with meetings with a diverse range of people, as well as participating in workshops, trainings, and webinars. As a highly visual researcher, I often translate ideas into charts and illustrations.
Looking ahead, my work will involve transdisciplinary mixed-methods research, including interviews, case study analyses in Victoria and Amazonia, Bayesian network modelling, and storytelling approaches. I also make time to walk in the bush, parks, or along the beach to clear my mind (where you might also find me doing a bit more writing).
Q: What pathway did you take to get into the research?
I followed a somewhat non-linear pathway into research, drawing on both academic and professional experiences. I initially trained and worked as a mechanical engineer in Brazil, but over time, I decided to shift towards environmental and climate-related challenges. This led me to pursue a double MSc in Climate Change, Diversity and Sustainable Territorial Development in Italy and Ecuador.
After my studies, I worked in sustainability and ESG, as well as in project management for EU-funded initiatives. It was through my involvement in projects focused on natural hazards and wildfires that my research interests really began to develop. I realised I wanted to deepen my critical thinking and engage more substantially with the underlying questions.
Alongside these transitions, I also volunteered in different parts of the world, which allowed me to engage with a wide range of contexts and perspectives. As I was planning to move to Australia, I saw this as the right moment to pursue a PhD. Although I had always been connected to research in different ways, my PhD now feels like a natural continuation of that journey.
Q: What’s the most interesting thing that you have done during your studies?
The most interesting work I undertook during my Master’s was my thesis project, which developed within a multi-country initiative focused on sustainable territories and renewable energy while I was based in Spain. Within this context, I designed a case study aimed at supporting the city’s decarbonisation pathway in line with its net-zero goals.
The project centred on the transformation of an abandoned area into an integrated and multifunctional agroforestry system. Grounded in the spatial and social dynamics of the surrounding neighbourhood, the land use was designed through two complementary approaches: forest farming and alley cropping. The forest farming was designed to create ecological and functional connectivity, forming a continuous green corridor within nearby parks. Tree species were selected not only for their capacity to sequester CO₂, but also for their future potential for bioenergy production, contributing to a circular management of the area. The alley cropping system was linked into the adjacent rural–urban interface, providing space for community allotments and strengthening local engagement with sustainable practices. To communicate the outcomes, I developed a story map, storytelling the conceptual elements of the project into a more accessible and engaging narrative.
Q: What is one thing to look for in a supervisor?
I feel very fortunate to have such inspiring supervisors for my PhD. To me, a great supervisor is genuinely passionate about their work and open to new ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking. I believe this creates space for innovation and alternative approaches to emerge. I also think that having someone you can openly discuss your plans and ideas with is essential for professional growth, as is having guidance that helps ground those ideas when needed. In this sense, I value supervisors who are responsive, supportive, and receptive. Having mentors who encourage dialogue and diverse perspectives makes a significant difference in shaping both the research process and my development as a researcher.
Q: If you had to move to take up this research role, do you have any tips to getting settled somewhere new?
If you are travelling to different places for your research, my main advice is to embrace the adventure. I have been in constant motion, and a key lesson I have learned is that the unexpected often brings opportunities that can be even better than we initially imagined.
I approach each new place with curiosity and open-mindedness, embracing new experiences, actively engaging with people from different backgrounds and learning about alternative lifestyles. Instead of just seeing it as a matter of relocation, I consider it to be a chance to try out new ways of living. By making the most of the challenges and positive aspects of change, I have found that each transition can become a meaningful experience.
