I am a forest engineer turned plant ecophysiologist. My research focuses on the effects of global change, such as heat, leaf wetness, and herbivory stressors, on plant structure and function. I am lucky to have been able to conduct my work in exciting locations across the tropics, and now I am inspired by desert ecosystems -- natural and urban systems. In addition to my research, I am always happy to share my science through outreach activities (or anybody that is willing to listen). Being a good mentor is what drives me as a professor. My hobbies are hiking, reading, playing with our pets, and building puzzles. Proud to be Brazilian!

​

I currently teach Ecosystem Ecology (BIOL 5490) during Spring semesters.

Brad is a post-doc at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. As an ecophysiologist, Brad’s research focuses on understanding the various ways that high temperatures can affect plants from the molecular to the physiological level. This interest began during his PhD project at the Australian National University, where he studied the thermal acclimation of photosynthesis and respiration in wheat under the supervision of Prof. Owen Atkin. This was followed by further work on photosynthetic thermal acclimation during a post-doc with Dr. Nick Smith at Texas Tech. Currently, Brad is leading an NSF-funded research project looking at leaf cooling strategies and thermal tolerance during extreme heat exposure, under the supervision of Drs. Luiza Aparecido, Kevin Hultine (primary mentor), and Ben Blonder. Outside of work, Brad enjoys watching movies, cooking, crosswords, and playing any kind of sport.

Rebecca is PhD student in the School of Biological Sciences at University of Utah. Her research explores the mechanisms that allow invasive plant species to succeed in their non-native environments, with a special interest in acclimation to thermal stress. She is currently studying the physiology of Russian olive, a riparian tree invasive to the Western US. Additionally, Rebecca is passionate about community outreach. During her undergraduate degree, she led multiple events aimed at educating students about biological research happening on campus. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys the outdoors through activities like kayaking, backpacking, and climbing.

Rafael is a biologist with a keen interest in plant responses to environmental stresses. He has always been captivated by understanding how plants can live and thrive in arid environments. Currently, he is focused on exploring plant responses to global climate change events, such as heat waves, drought stress, and invasiveness. His research interests stem from his childhood experiences living in arid regions of northeast Brazil and the influence of brilliant mentors with whom he has had the honor to work. In addition to his career as a plant ecophysiologist, he enjoys studying Art History and engaging in outdoor activities. Visiting museums and art galleries are some of his favorite pastimes.

Madeline is an ecosystem ecologist interested in preserving rangelands and promoting native plants. She has previously worked in the Provo River watershed studying carbon cycling, New Jersey salt marshes studying food webs, and the Chihuahuan desert studying vapor pressure deficit and plant production. Currently she is interested in retaining and encouraging native grass growth in the Utah area, which includes eradicating invasive species such as Russian thistle. When she is not wrangling grass she enjoys good food, bad action movies, and generally being outside. 

Lucy is an undergraduate studying Plant Biology and Geography. She is passionate about the climate and learning how to protect ecosystems, and has a life-long interest and enthusiasm for science. She is super excited about getting more research experience, both in the lab and in the field. In her free time, she likes reading, climbing, hiking, and playing the piano.

​

Lucy was a Science Research Initiative (SRI) and ACCESS scholar within the College of Science at the University of Utah during 2024. She is currently a School of Biological Science undergraduate research scholar for summer and fall/2025, when she starts working on her Honors thesis research on minimum conductance variation across temperate species and seasons.

Tucker is a fourth year undergraduate studying environmental science with an emphasis on ecosystem sciences and Spanish. He is passionate about conservation, sustainability, and all forms of wildlife. He spends his free time hiking, taking photos, playing music, and reading. He is always excited to contribute to our research, in the field or in the lab.

​

Tucker started in the lab as a Science Research Initiative (SRI) scholar within the College of Science at the University of Utah, and later became a  UROP scholar for Spring/2025.

**Tucker has now graduated with his BS in Environmental Science with a minor in Spanish, and will assist the lab with botanical surveys as a postgrad funded through a 2025 Utah Native Plant Society award.

Brandt is a long-time undergrad Biology student with an emphasis in Ecology, Evolution, and Environment. Born and raised locally in Eagle Mountain, he has personally seen how climate change and human development has affected the climate and the local ecosystem of his hometown even in just a short time frame. Originally starting school to go into medicine, he changed his mind after captivating classes on topics of conservation, ecology, and plant biology. He has always been a lover of the outdoors ever since being in The Scouts and wants to keep the outdoors beautiful and extend that love and mindset to his biggest passion in life, solving problems: specifically anthropogenic climate change.  His ultimate goal is to collect and consolidate data on anthropogenic climate change to educate and advocate to businesses, political officials, and the public as a science communicator, influencing sustainability efforts to restore the earth's natural carbon cycle. He is enthusiastic about his involvement in the Aparecido lab, where research on invasion ecology and plant ecophysiological responses will provide insights into future scenarios if current trends persist, therefore driving policy and action. In his free time, he likes to cook, bake, play video games, camp, study French, volunteer, and participate in performance arts like dancing, color guard, theater, and more.

Brandt is was a Wilkes undergraduate research scholar (Fall 2024 and Spring/2025) and is now a UROP scholar for Fall/2025.

Sydney is an undergraduate at the University of Utah majoring in Earth and Environmental Science. She has always been interested in the outdoors and nature, and she got her start by working and volunteering for AZA accredited facilities in Utah, which she does in her free time. She also loves skiing, traveling, music, and is passionate about public education. She hopes to be able to apply knowledge from the lab to encourage others outside of the college of science to get involved in the outdoors and climate solutions. She is most excited about field work for the lab, but is also looking forward to learning new skills in data analysis and programming.

​

Sydney was a Science Research Initiative (SRI) scholar within the College of Science at the University of Utah. She is now a Wilkes scholar for Fall/2025.

Kailey grew up in the Southern Utah desert catching caterpillars and snails in her grandparents' backyard. Her love for nature grew into a passion, and she is interested in pursuing a career in conservation, studying Environment and Sustainability with a Biology and Media Studies minor. She loves the outdoors and is interested in doing her part to protect natural places. Kailey is most interested in the ecology and interactions of plant and animal communities.

She is excited to have the opportunity to contribute her skills in lab and field work, where she will be assisting PhD candidate Rebecca in riparian botanical surveys and physiological measurements in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

In her free time, she enjoys losing herself in a fantasy novel, hiking, backpacking, and climbing. 

Maddie is a fourth-year student majoring in Biology and Environmental Journalism. The natural world has always brought her a sense of inspiration and awe, a feeling deepened through biological research. Her passion for scientific discovery has grown alongside a love of photography and writing, fueling her belief that these realms can enrich one another and engage the public in ecological conservation, especially in a world of ongoing anthropogenic climate change. Maddie hopes to serve as a bridge between scientists and broader audiences, refining this intersection through her lab work.

She is currently working on a repeat photography Honors project in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management within the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument along the Paria River. She is also studying stomatal conductance differences between invasive and native riparian species in the same locations. She is excited to continue exploring science through ecological research while sharing its stories with the public.

​

Check out her photography portfolio here:  https://madisonwest.myportfolio.com/ 

She is a global change ecologist and plant ecophysiologist whose research has largely focused on fluxes of carbon and water in both urban and natural ecosystems. Her research interests have spanned scales from leaf-level gas exchange and xylem vascular hydraulics of individual plants to landscape-scale investigations of carbon and water exchange between the land surface and atmosphere in relation to anthropogenic factors including urbanization, land and resource management, invasive species, and climate change.

She is a University of Utah alumni and we are lucky to have her expertise in the lab as we expand our work in Southern UT and the Wasatch Front.

Bianca was an ecologist at the Univ. of Utah interested in the effects of climate change and anthropogenic disturbances in plants from individual to community level. Previously, her work has combined plant economic and physiological traits, especially hydraulics traits as descriptors of tolerance to stress and disturbance in a variety of environments in Brazil. During her master she studied the effects of drought and anthropogenic disturbance on the tropical dry forest. In contrast, for her PhD dissertation she explored not only the impact of precipitation fluctuations, but also the vapour pressure deficit and leaf wetting effects on tropical rainforest and montane grasslands. Now, as postdoctoral researcher, she will expand her skills exploring the hydraulic and thermal tolerance of plants to drought and heat of plants in native and urban areas of Utah and Arizona, USA. She was the first person in her family to conclude a course at a public University in Brazil. Now, she intends to inspire and create opportunities to other low-income students to access the University. She enjoys hiking, drawing, trying healthy recipes and spending time with her kid.

**Dr. Zorger is now a postdoctoral research scholar in the Instituto Federal de Goias (Rio Verde, Brazil) with Dr. Paulo E. de Menezes Silva. 

AnnaBelle  is an undergraduate student studying biology with an emphasis in plant biology. When she is not outside or studying, she volunteers for a non-profit called Kesem that supports kids whose primary caregiver has cancer. She also loves listening to all types of music, painting, and reading. She is excited to get more involved in research and field work!

  ​

AnnaBelle was a UROP research scholar for Summer/2025.

Diego is an undergraduate student at Harvey Mudd College, pursuing a major in biology with a focus on plant science. Passionate about addressing climate-related challenges, he aims to leverage plant research to develop sustainable solutions. Diego is particularly interested in the societal impacts of scientific work and advocates for greater accessibility in STEM. He also hopes to integrate computational methods into his research to advance his studies. Beyond academics, Diego enjoys painting murals, exploring music, and wandering through cities to discover their hidden gems.

He was a SPUR scholar for the summer 2025 at the Aparecido lab where he assisted with plant thermotolerance measurements across various projects.

**Diego will continue his research journey at Dr. Jessica Guo's lab at Harvey Mudd College.

Cindy was a senior undergraduate student majoring in Biology. She is passionate about conservation and ecology, and aims to make a positive impact through environmental stewardship. She is very excited about getting more research experience in the lab. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, hiking, and playing sports.

​

Cindy was a 2024 Biology Research Scholar sponsored by the UofU School of Biological Sciences. Her research is in collaboration with the Dr. Ponette-Gonzalez lab at the Natural History Museum of Utah.

**Cindy graduated in Fall/2024 with a BS degree in Biology.