Ms. Vanesa Fabiola Bejarano Alegre - Landscape and Movement ecology - Best Researcher Award

Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho - Brazil

Author Profile 

ORCID

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Vanesa Fabiola Bejarano Alegre's academic journey began with a strong foundation in biological sciences. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology from the Gabriel Rene Moreno Autonomous University in Bolivia in 2011, followed by a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Science from the University Aquino of Bolivia in 2013. Her passion for ecology and conservation led her to pursue a Master's degree in Zoology, graduating from São Paulo State University in Brazil in 2017. Vanesa's academic path culminated in a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity in 2023, where she specialized in understanding the complex dynamics of wildlife movement and its interaction with human-modified landscapes.

Professional endeavors 🦓

After completing her Ph.D., Vanesa continued to build her professional career as a researcher and scholar. In January 2024, she began a postdoctoral fellowship focused on filling biodiversity gaps in Brazil, particularly in the state of Goiás and its biomes. Working under the mentorship of prominent scientists Rosane Collevatti and Milton Ribeiro, her research centers on spatial modeling for conservation and the management of the Cerrado, one of the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems in Brazil. Alongside her data collection activities, Vanesa is actively involved in writing scientific articles and contributing to collaborative research in conservation science.

Contributions and research focus 🐾

Vanesa's research has primarily focused on the movement ecology of large carnivores, particularly jaguars, and their interactions with anthropogenic landscapes. During her doctoral research, she analyzed the spatial dynamics of jaguars and other wild cats, considering both environmental and human-influenced factors. Her work has produced important findings on the ways anthropogenic activities impact the space use and movement patterns of these apex predators. In addition to Landscape and Movement ecology jaguar ecology, her current postdoctoral research seeks to address biodiversity gaps through spatial analysis and modeling to aid in the conservation and management of endangered species in Brazil’s Cerrado biome.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Vanesa's scholarly work has earned her recognition in the field of wildlife conservation and ecology. Her contributions to jaguar movement ecology were published in renowned scientific journals, with significant collaboration on a paper examining how environmental and anthropogenic factors synergistically affect jaguar space Landscape and Movement ecology use. Her work has been well-regarded for its analytical rigor and its potential implications for conservation practices. Additionally, her ongoing postdoctoral research is expected to further elevate her as a leading expert in spatial modeling and biodiversity conservation.

Impact and influence 🌍

Through her research on jaguar movement ecology and biodiversity conservation in Brazil, Vanesa has contributed valuable knowledge that influences conservation strategies and wildlife management policies. Her work on understanding the effects of human activity on wildlife movement has the potential to shape wildlife Landscape and Movement ecology conservation efforts, particularly in regions impacted by urbanization and land-use change. By focusing on large carnivores like jaguars, Vanesa’s research helps in broader efforts to preserve the integrity of ecosystems and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

Vanesa Bejarano Alegre is carving a promising legacy as a researcher committed to the conservation of biodiversity, particularly through her expertise in wildlife movement and spatial ecology. As she continues her postdoctoral research, her focus on modeling biodiversity in the Cerrado and other threatened ecosystems positions her to contribute to global conservation initiatives. The knowledge she generates will have lasting implications for preserving species and ecosystems amidst growing environmental pressures. Her future contributions are expected to further enhance our understanding of how human activities and environmental factors interact, ultimately guiding more effective conservation and management practices.

Notable Publications 

• Title: Predator-Prey movement interactions: jaguars and peccaries in the spotlight
  Authors: Vanesa Alegre; Júlia Emi de Faria Oshima; Claudia Zukeran Kanda; Maria Luisa S. P. Jorge; Alexine Keuroghlian; Ronaldo G. Morato; Milton Cezar Ribeiro; Luca Börger
  Journal: Not specified, but the article was found on Web of Science Researcher Profile.
• Title: The effect of anthropogenic features on the habitat selection of a large carnivore is conditional on sex and circadian period, suggesting a landscape of coexistence
  Authors: Vanesa Bejarano Alegre; Helena Rio-Maior; Júlia Emi de Faria Oshima; Bernardo Brandão Niebuhr; Ronaldo G. Morato; Milton Cezar Ribeiro
  Journal: Journal for Nature Conservation (2023)
• Title: Environmental and anthropogenic factors synergistically affect space use of jaguars
  Authors: Jeffrey J. Thompson; Ronaldo G. Morato; Bernardo B. Niebuhr; Vanesa Bejarano Alegre; Júlia Emi F. Oshima; Alan E. de Barros; Agustín Paviolo; J. Antonio de la Torre; Fernando Lima; Roy T. McBride et al.
  Journal: Current Biology (2021)
• Title: NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics
  Authors: Clarissa Alves da Rosa; Bruno R. Ribeiro; Vanesa Bejarano; Fernando Henrique Puertas; Adriana Bocchiglieri; Adriana Loeser dos Santos Barbosa; Adriano Garcia Chiarello; Adriano Pereira Paglia; Adriele Aparecida Pereira; Adryelle Francisca de Souza Moreira et al.
  Journal: Ecology (2020)