Get to know the team

The EcoBrazil team comprises dedicated professionals committed to enhancing biodiversity and climate resilience in Brazilian landscapes. Our experts specialize in capacity building, knowledge exchange, and simulation modeling, working collaboratively to develop sustainable solutions that bridge the gap between ecological preservation and climate adaptation. Through our combined efforts, we aim to empower communities and stakeholders, fostering a harmonious relationship between nature and society for a resilient future.

Dr Muhammad Qasim Rana

Project Pi from uk

Dr. Muhammad Rana is a full-time academic tutor and a leading researcher at UCEM. He has previously worked with the University of Wolverhampton, the University of Salford, and Highways England on various projects in the UK related to highway maintenance, simulation modeling, and lean construction. During the last four years, Dr. Muhammad Rana has won several research funding grants totaling up to £600k from the Innovate UK, Qatar National Research Fund, British Council, Harold Samuel, Salford University, Highways England, and CIB on various topics of Sustainability, Biodiversity, Gender Equality, Off-site Construction, Energy Efficiency, Water Management, and Environmental Resilience. Dr Rana is currently leading 3 British Council funded Projects on Gender Equality in Brazil, Pakistan and Vietnam. He has previously delivered similar 3 projects in Jordan and Egypt sucessfully.

Find more by clicking here

Dr Fernando Bezerra

Project Pi from brazil

Fernando Bezerra has a degree in Geography from the Federal University of Maranhão (2004), a master's degree in Geography from the Federal University of Uberlândia (2006) and a PhD in Geography from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro \ University of Wolverhampton - England. He has worked as a Visiting Professor at the Geography Department of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and as a Researcher at the Laboratory of Environmental Geomorphology and Soil Degradation - LAGESOLOS - UFRJ. He has experience in Geography, with an emphasis on Physical Geography, Geomorphology and Experimental Stations. He is currently Associate Professor I in the Department of Geography at the State University of Maranhão, Professor of the Academic Master's and Vice-Coordinator of the Geomorphology and Mapping Research Group - GEOMAP and the State University of Maranhão. He is currently a Senior Productivity Fellow at UEMA.

Dr Guilherme Hissa Villas Boas

project mentor (brazil)

Adjunct Professor in the Department of Geography at the Institute of Geosciences at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IGEO/UFRJ) and professor in the Postgraduate Program in Geography (PPGG/UFRJ). Bachelor in tourism, bachelor, master and doctor in geography. Extension Coordinator of the Department of Geography, Deputy Director of Extension of IGEO, Director of Extension of IGEO and Representative of the Center for Mathematical and Natural Sciences (CCMN) in University Extension Council (CEU). Coordinator of the Laboratory for Research and Extension in Environment and Society (LEMAS/UFRJ). Representative of UFRJ on the advisory board of the Macaé de Cima Environmental Protection Area. Develops academic activities in the areas of critical physical geography and human ecology, with an emphasis on nature conservation, socio-environmental management of protected areas, traditional knowledge and the relationship between society and nature.

Dr Rafael Zilio

project mentor (brazil)

Geographer, professor of the Geography course and the Graduate Program in Social Sciences at the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA). Coordinator of the Research Center on Space, Politics, and Social Emancipation (NEPES). Conducts research on territorial conflicts in the Amazon, especially those involving Indigenous peoples. Currently, he is coordinating a national research project that aims to comparatively analyze the spatial practices of self-demarcation, land reclamation, and territorial monitoring of Indigenous Lands, contributing to the understanding of the spatial dimension of the Indigenous movement in Brazil.

Prof Angela Lee

Project Mentor UK

Professor Lee has an extensive academic career spanning over 25 years. After successfully completing her PhD with no corrections in 2002, she now has a Chair in Process and Performance Management in Construction. She has previously held Associate Dean roles in Research; International; Enterprise; Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI); and Head of Department roles at the Universities of Salford and Huddersfield. She joined UCEM in April 2022 to support the growth and development of research, including research degrees. She has published over 300 journal and conference publications based on her research, including 6 books, and has managed numerous externally funded research projects to successful completion.

Find more by clicking here