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Rodrigo Costa Araujo
Rodrigo Costa Araujo Publications
Rodrigo Costa Araujo Conservation Projects
Rodrigo Costa Araujo Media
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Rodrigo Costa Araujo Contact

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PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

CONSERVATION

SCIENCE

Evolutionary Biology

Phylogenomics, biogeography, evolutionary ecology and morphology of primates.

Ecology

Investigate the distribution and abundance of primates using approaches rooted in Macroecology and Landscape Ecology.

Taxonomy & Systematics

Delimit species and classify mammals according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

Conservation Biology

Provide the scientific baseline needed to establish measurements for the conservation of primates and forests on the ground.

Applied science

Mitigate negative impacts on primates and ecosystems using scientific knowledge.

Media

To produce media pieces focusing on outreach and education in science and biodiversity conservation.

Ecotourism

To empower local people, generate income and welfare in local communities thru primate watching activities.

Social engagement

To participate in or to provide consultancy and support for scientific societies, and governmental, private and third sector organizations.

EMPLOYMENT

2024 - current

Bavarian Collection for Zoology, Munich, Germany

Mammals section

Research associate

2024 - current

German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany

Genetics department

Research associate

2022 - 2024

German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany

Genetics department

Alexander von Humboldt postdoc fellow

2020 - 2022

Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil

Mastozoology Collection

Researcher, Curator Assistant

EDUCATION

2015 - 2020

Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia

Ph.D. Biological Sciences – Ecology

2009 - 2011

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

MSc. Ecology

2002 - 2007

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul

BSc. Biological Sciences

WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS

2022. Writing grant proposals and fellowship applications workshop. Explainables Communication, Online.

2022. Creating scientific presentations and posters workshop. Explainables Communication, Online.

2022. Authentic branding and professional networking for scientists workshop. Explainables Communication, Online.

2017. Conservation Management and Leadership Workshop. Conservation Leadership Programme, Bitung, Sulawesi.

2016. Extinction Risk and Conservation Strategies for threatened species Workshop. AQUASIS, Caucaia, Brazil.

2015. Short course in Research Methods in Bioacoustics of Primates. Brazilian Society of Primatology, Manaus, Brazil.

2015. Writing for Conservation Workshop. Conservation Leadership Programme & Oryx, Nazaré Paulista, Brazil.

2013. Short course in Road Ecology Research Planning. Brazilian Society of Ecology, Porto Seguro, Brazil.

2012. Training in Practices of Research and Management of Lion Tamarins Leontopithecus rosalia. The Lion Tamarin

            Association, Casimiro de Abreu, Brazil.

2007. Environmental Conservation Course. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

FIELD WORK

2015 – 2020     Twelve field expeditions of a month each across southern Amazonian forests, in the states of

                               Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, and Mato Grosso States, Brazil, to collect samples and data on primates

                               and local threats to their populations and habitat.

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2013 – 2014      Six field expeditions of 20 days each in the Atlantic forest of southern Bahia, Brazil, recording the

                              distribution and abundance of four primate species (Callithrix kuhlii, Callicebus melanochir, Sapajus

                              xanthosternos, and Leontopithecus chrysomelas).

​​​​

2012 – 2014      Daily field work in the Atlantic forest of southern Bahia, Brazil, identifying potential forest fragments    

                               for reintroduction, reintroducing, and monitoring 300+ Golden-headed lion tamarins

                                Leontopithecus chrysomelas.

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2012 – 2012      Survey of Golden-headed lion tamarins Leontopithecus chrysomelas, invasive in the

                               Atlantic forest of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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2009 – 2011      Field work in coastal forests of southern Brazil Atlantic forest studying vegetation dynamics.

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2005 – 2007    Field work in the Atlantic forest of southern Brazil, Mariana Pimentel, RS, studying seed dispersal by

                              howler monkeys Alouatta guariba.

​NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS

I have worked in the collections of the following institutions to collect genetic samples and data on morphology and distribution of primates:

​​

  • Field Museum, Chicago, United States (FM)

  • Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil (INPA)

  • Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP)

  • Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil (MPEG)

  • Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (MNHN)

  • Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany (MfN)

  • Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom (NHM)

  • Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien, Austria (NM)

  • Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns, Munich, Germany (SNSB)

  • Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Brazil (UFRO)

GENETICS LABORATORY AND TISSUE COLLECTIONS

RESEARCH PROJECTS

I was trained in laboratory protocols and methods for DNA extraction, Sanger and genomic sequencing in the Evolution and Animal Genetics laboratory at the Federal University of Amazonas, Brazil, where I also learned techniques for tissue and DNA preservation. I further developed my skills in DNA sequencing and in methods of preservation of biological material in the Genetics Department of the Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany.

CONSERVATION ACTION

I have been working in different conservation projects focused on species conservation and I am currently leading a project on the conservation of marmosets and forests in southern Amazonia. Read more.

MEDIA

Media has been an important aspect of my work on conservation and science outreach. Read more.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

I have experience in assessments of environmental impact of hydroelectric schemes and in evaluations of extinction risks of primate species.

TEACHING

I have experience with teaching biological sciences in all levels of education, from elementary to graduate students, including experiences with online classes, and I also have organized and delivered courses for undergraduate and graduate students.

NATURAL HISTORY EXPERTISE

I have been a passionate naturalist as far as I can remember and an avid Biologist since 2007. In addition to my specialty on primates, I have studied, recorded, and photographed mammals, birds, plants, and fungi during extensive explorations across Brazil and South American, African and Asian countries.

GRANTS & AWARDS

2023. Research Award, Re:wild

2021. Post-doctoral Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt and CAPES joint programme

2021. Margot Marsh Travel Grant – Re:wild

2019.  Liza Veiga Award for Conservation of Neotropical Primates – Brazilian Society of Primatology

2017.  Follow Up Award – Conservation Leadership Programme

2017.  Margot Marsh Primate Action Fund – Re:wild

2016. Idea Wild

2016. Margot Marsh Travel Grant – Re:wild

2016. Travel Grant – Conservation Leadership Programme

2012. Conservation Leadership Award – Conservation Leadership Programme

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION

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Brazilian Society of Primatology

  Member since 2015

  Co-coordinator of GT Conservation

  Director Counseling Board member

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Latin Americanan Society of Primatology

  Member since 2016

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Brazilian Society of Mastozoology

  Member since 2022

  Primate Specialist Consultant for the

    Taxonomy Committee

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International Primatological Society

  Member since 2015

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