Cynthia Fernandes Pinto da Luz

Biologist, Ph.D. in Geology (Paleontology and Stratigraphy) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, under the guidance of Dr. Ortrud Monika Barth. Scientific Researcher at the Institute of Environmental Research (IPA), formerly the Botanical Institute (IBt), of the Secretariat of the Environment, Infrastructure, and Logistics of the State of São Paulo (SEMIL). Engaged in six research lines of Palynology: Aeropalynology, Archaeopalynology, Pollen Physiology, Melissopalynology, Palynotaxonomy, and Quaternary Palynology. Currently leading research projects in the environmental field funded by funding agencies (CNPq, CAPES, FAPESP) and the Environmental Compensation Chamber of SEMIL. Collaborating in research with the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Universidad de Granada, Royal Botanic Gardens (KEW), and the Higher School of Agriculture at the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco (Portugal), as well as with national institutions (Adolfo Lutz Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Federal University of Viçosa, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Federal University of the Valleys of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri, Federal University of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, State University of Central-Western Paraná, State University of Londrina, State University of Ponta Grossa, Ezequiel Dias Foundation/FUNED) and with companies such as Embrapa, AgBiTech, and FuturaGene. Since 2009, she has been the curator of the Palinotheca of the Palynology Laboratory of IPA, whose collection expansion has largely resulted from research, theses, and dissertations guided by her and is currently in the process of digitization for online availability. A Research Productivity Fellow since 2009, she is the leader of the CNPq Research Group "Palynology Laboratory PALINO IPA". She served as Director of the Palynology Research Center at IBt for almost two decades and subsequently as Director of the Institutional Relations Center of the IPA Teaching and Extension Center from 2021 to 2023. She was the Second Substitute Director of the Biodiversity Conservation Center of the Research Center and Vice Coordinator of the Vascular Plants in Environmental Analysis area of the Postgraduate Program in Plant Biodiversity and the Environment at IPA. She has served on Councils and Committees within and outside the Institution as an official representative. She is an associate editor of the scientific journal Hoehnea and a reviewer for several (inter)national scientific journals. Ad-Hoc Consultant for issuing technical-scientific opinions in the field of Quality and Technology of Vegetable Origin Products within the Secretariat of Agricultural Defense of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply. Her work in personnel guidance has led to the training of specialists in Palynology who are working in various areas of Brazil and abroad. Her publications include the morphological characterization of pollen grains and their various environmental approaches and applications for the conservation of natural resources in various biomes of Brazil, such as the certification of the botanical origin of bee products, interaction networks between plants and pollinators in natural and agricultural systems, the reconstruction of Quaternary vegetation, and the impact of climate change on plant biodiversity, the study of plant microfossils in an archaeological context and paleoenvironment, studies of pollen viability of ornamental and economically useful species, pollen dispersion in the air, and pollinosis, among others. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)