People
LABSIA at Directory of Research Groups in Brazil
http://dgp.cnpq.br/dgp/espelhogrupo/284604
Research Group Leader
Dr. Ângelo Parise Pinto
I am a biologist with a PhD in Zoology, working on taxonomy, systematics, phylogeny, biogeography, and conservation of arthropods, especially dragonflies and aquatic insects. I am a Professor at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), where I serve as General Curator of the UFPR Invertebrate Collection (DZIN) and curator of Dictyoptera and aquatic insect orders at the Entomological Collection (DZUP). My lab focuses on understanding the patterns and processes that shape extant biodiversity, with emphasis on Atlantic Forest.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
Bluesky
X (formerly Twitter)
Current students
M.Sc. Juliana Ehlert Rincaweski
Graduate Student – UFPR
I’m PhD candidate of the PPGEnto at Universidade Federal do Paraná and my research is focused on the emerald dragonflies of “Corduliidae s.l.”. I’m interested in taxonomy, phylogenetic systematics and biogeography, being the main goal of my study to improve the taxonomic and evolutionary knowledge of corduliid species, especially those from South America. I also love working with natural history collections and going on field expeditions.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
juliana.ehlert@ufpr.br
Graduate Program scholarship fellow of CNPq: 2022–2024, CAPES: 2025–current
B.Sc. Elaine Camille Schinda
Graduate Student – UFPR
I’m a master’s student in the PPGzoo at the Federal University of Paraná, I study arachnids of the order Opiliones (harvestmen) from the Atlantic Forest. My research focuses on the taxonomy and biogeography of the suborder Eupnoi. My interest in arthropods began in high school and intensified during my undergraduate studies at the UFPR. During this period, I had my first contact with harvestmen and became fascinated by their morphology and diversity.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
elaine.schinda@ufpr.br
PIBIC volunteer 2024–2025, 2025–2026; Graduate Program scholarship fellow of CAPES: 2026–current.
B.Sc. Raul Czelujinski Varella
Undergraduate Student – UFPR
I study the insects of the order Plecoptera, known as stoneflies, from the southern Atlantic Forest. When I started the graduate course in Biological Sciences at UFPR, I had no interest in arthropods. This changed drastically when I began to learn about insects, their evolutionary and ecological relationships. At LABSIA, my focus is on the taxonomy of Plecoptera in the state of Paraná. I’m also interested in biological collections, ecology, and insect behavior.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
czelujinskivarella@ufpr.br
PIBIC volunteer 2023, scholarship fellow of UFPR/TN 2023–2025, CNPq 2025–2026
Maria Julia Michelini
Undergraduate Student – UFPR
I am an undergraduate student in Biological Sciences at the Universidade Federal do Paraná, and I study insects of the order Odonata, focusing on conservation. I investigate the distribution, diversity, and conservation status of dragonflies in the southern Atlantic Forest. I am interested in ecology, biogeography, and biological collections.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
maria.michelini@ufpr.br
PIBIC 2024-current, CNPq 2024–current
B.Sc. Bruna Daiane Kruscielski Panta
Undergraduate Student – UFPR
study insects in the order Ephemeroptera, with an emphasis on the family Leptophlebiidae, one of the most diverse groups within the order. My research focuses on taxonomy, aiming to identify and describe species and understand their distribution and diversity. In this way, my work contributes to the knowledge of biodiversity, particularly aquatic insect fauna, helping to improve our understanding and conservation of freshwater ecosystems.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
bruna.panta@ufpr.br
PIBIC volunteer 2025–2026
Beatriz Fernandes Mikoszewski
Undergraduate Student – UFPR
My project aims to contribute to the knowledge of Odonata diversity in Brazil by developing an inventory of species recorded in Pirassununga, based on specimens from the National Center for Research and Conservation of Continental Aquatic Biodiversity of ICMBio, as well as by correlating these data with the historical records produced by Professor Newton Dias dos Santos.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
fernandes.beatriz@ufpr.br
PIBIC volunteer: 2025-current
Manuela Cristina Antunes
Undergraduate Student – UFPR
The purpose of my study is to explore the taxonomy of Neotropical Odonata larvae. The research correlates the nymph stage with the adult stage through integrated morphological and molecular approaches. My fascination with arthropods began in childhood and has remained with me ever since. During my undergraduate studies, this interest deepened as I began exploring insects morphology, developmental stages, and diversity.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
manuela.antunes@ufpr.br
PIBIC volunteer: 2026-current
Associate Researcher
M.Sc. Katia Justi
Graduate Student – UFPR
I was a master’s student in the PPGEnto at the Federal University of Paraná, and I’m now a PhD candidate at USP-Ribeirão Preto. My research focuses on South American Megaloptera, especially species of Corydalus. I work with taxonomy and phylogenetic systematics, aiming to improve species delimitation and clarify the geographic distribution of Corydalus on the Atlantic Forest.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
kaajusti@gmail.com
PIBIC volunteer: 2018–2019, scholarship fellow of Fundação Araucária/UFPR: 2019–2020, CAPES: 2024-2026.
M.Sc. Leonardo Polizeli Aguiar
Graduate Student – UFPR
Taxonomy of cockroaches “Blattaria” (Insecta: Blattodea).
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
leonardopolizeli2[at]gmail.com
PVA volunteer: 2018–2019, PIBIC 2020–2023, scholarship fellow NAPI-Taxonline, CAPES: 2022-2024.
Alumni
Ph. D. VinÃcius de Assis Silva
Graduate Student – UFPR
My Ph.D. research in Entomology at UFPR (PPGENTO) was focused mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of the family Leptophlebiidae. The goal of my study was investigate the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the Ulmeritus–Ulmeritoides complex of genera.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
viniciusdeassisidl@gmail.com
scholarship fellow of CAPES: 2018–2024
Ph. D. León Andrés Pérez Gutiérrez
Graduate Student – UFPR
Professor at Universidad del Atlántico. I earned my Ph.D. in Entomology from UFPR’s Graduate Program (PPGENTO). My main interest is on the systematics, taxonomy and biogeography of the Neotropical Megapodagrionidae s.l. (Zygoptera: Odonata), with emphasis in the species delimitation, integrative taxonomy, as well as the investigation of the phylogeny of the clades with unsettled relationships.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
talysker@gmail.com
2019–2024
M.Sc. Breno Rodrigo de Araujo
Graduate Student – UFPR
I received my master’s degree at PPGEnto. My interests are on Taxonomy, Ecology and Conservation. Currently I’m investigating how dams could change the Odonata assembly in Atlantic Forest. As a consequence of this study, I intend to produce a regional atlas of Odonata.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
breno.rda94@gmail.com
scholarship fellow of CNPq: 2018–2022
M.Sc. Caio Silva dos Anjos
Graduate Student – UFPR
I am a student of the Master’s degree in Entomology at UFPR and a member of LABSIA. My areas of interest are taxonomy, systematic and ecology of Odonata. My curretn project is a taxonomic revision for the genus Elga (Libellulidae).
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
caioanjos_bd[at]hotmail.com
scholarship fellow of CNPq: 2019–2021
M.Sc. Maria Clara Alencastro
Bachelor – UFPR
My research as undergrad student in LABSIA was focused on the diversity and conservation of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) in urban habitats.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
mcalencastro2[at]gmail.com
2019–2020
B.Sc. Kim Deal Barbosa Jusviak
Bachelor – CPUP
Diversity and taxonomy of stoneflies (Plecoptera).
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
kimjusviak[at]hotmail.com
2018–2019
M.Sc. Laura Regina Caramori
Bachelor – UFPR
My research as undergrad student in LABSIA was focused on the diversity and taxonomy of Opiliones in the state of Paraná.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
laurarcaramori[at]gmail.com
2019–2023
B.Sc. Maria Eduarda Marcon dos Santos
Bachelor – UFPR
My research as undergrad student in LABSIA was on distribution of Atlantic Forest damselflies focused on the genera Minagrion and Aceratobasis.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
maria.marconsantos[at]gmail.com
PIBIC volunteer: 2017–2018, 2021–2022
Andressa Mendes
Undergraduate Student – CPUP
I worked on the dragonflies’ collection (Odonata) of the Coleção Entomológica Pe Jesus Santiago Moure. My main research interests are on taxonomy, systematics and ecology of Odonata (Insecta).
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
emendes.andressa1995[at]hotmail.com
Volunteer: 2018–2019
Talita Luana Corbari da Silva
Bachelor – UFPR
Undergraduate thesis on the diversity of macroinvertebrates as tool for water quality assessment of urban streams at the Campus Politécnico of UFPR, Curitiba, Brazil.
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
talitacorbari[at]gmail.com
2018–2019
Larissa Emanuele dos Santos
Undergraduate Student – UFPR
Digitalization of aquatic insects housed in the Coleção Entomológica Pe. Jesus Santiago Moure (DZUP).
CV Lattes
ResearchGate
lemanuele902[at]gmail.com
PIBIC volunteer: 2017–2018
