About

As a botanist with over 20 years' experience in wood identification, I have had a passion for biology for as long as I can remember. A four-time graduate of the University of São Paulo, I hold a bachelor's in biological sciences,  a teaching degree in biological sciences, a Master of Science in wood science and technology, and a Ph.D. in botany. As a professor in Brazil, I taught university courses in plant anatomy and morphology for six years.  At the USDA Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, I spent an additional five years conducting cutting-edge research in the area of forensic wood identification using methods such as computer vision, DNA, and near-infrared spectroscopy. I also curated the largest xylarium in Latin America.  I currently serve as Assistant Professor of Wood Anatomy at Mississippi State University where I conduct research on field-deployable wood identification techniques to deter illegal logging and teach courses in wood anatomy and identification.