Principal Investigator
Pedro L. Godoy
Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo (Brazil)
I am a paleontologist and evolutionary biologist studying the evolution of vertebrates through deep time. Since 2023, I have been an Assistant Professor at the University of São Paulo (Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences). I am also an Associate Editor of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology and a member of the Palaeoverse initiative. My research interests include macroevolution, systematics and paleobiology of amniotes (reptiles and mammals) and other vertebrates.
Technical staff
Daniel Martins dos Santos
BSc in Geology, MSc in Paleobiology and Biostratigraphy, and PhD in Zoology from the University of Brasília. I dedicate myself to the study of the anatomy, paleoecology, and systematics of fossils from the Bauru and Sanfranciscana basins. I have experience in collecting various fossil (ichnofossils, microfossils, invertebrates & vertebrates) in different sedimentary basins. At the lab, my work involves field activities as well as 3D modeling of fossils, including segmentation and analysis of CT-scan data. Funded by FAPESP.
Postdocs
Thayara S. Carrasco
I am a biologist and a PhD in Biodiversity. My research is primarily focused on the ecology of terrestrial, semi-aquatic, and marine mammals, whether extinct or extant. Currently, I have been applying the knowledge acquired throughout my academic career on functional diversity analyses, which is the theme of my postdoctoral project, aiming to understand the ecological consequences of the extinction of South American terrestrial megafauna. Project funded by CAPES (PIPD).
PhD students
Luan Estevão dos Santos
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Mogi das Cruzes (2021) and a Master’s degree in Zoology from the University of São Paulo (USP). I am currently a PhD student in Zoology at the MacroPaleo Lab, where I develop a project focused on the macroevolution of Ornithischia (Dinosauria). Project funded by CAPES.
Fernanda Dias P. Landim
I am a biologist graduated from the University of São Paulo (IB-USP). During my undergrad, I developed a project at the MacroPaleo Lab on sloth extinction patterns. For my PhD project, I have shifted the focus to crocodylomorphs, addressing different questions on the macroevolution of the group, involving diversification dynamics and phenotypic evolution. Project funded by FAPESP.
MSc students
Biologist and Science teacher, graduated from the Federal University of Acre (UFAC). He is currently an MSc student in Zoology at the Institute of Biosciences of the University of São Paulo (IB-USP), where he conducts research on the osteological description and phylogenetic relationships of Late Miocene caimanines (Solimões Formation, Acre Basin). Project funded by FAPESP.
Luís Felipe B. David
I am a biologist who graduated from CEUNSP. I am currently an MSc student in Zoology at the Institute of Biosciences of the University of São Paulo (IB-USP), where I work on estimating divergence times within Crocodylomorpha using different approaches. Project funded by FAPESP.
Undergrad students
Pedro Kenji Ishizaki Ferreira
I am an undergrad student in Biology at the University of São Paulo, primarily interested in comparative anatomy of living and extinct reptilian lineages, particularly pseudosuchians. I am currently working on the taxonomy and systematics of a crocodylomorph specimen.
Gustavo Gonçalves Barreiros
I am an undergraduate student in Biology at the University of Taubaté (UNITAU). I am mainly interested in the fauna of the Paleogene period, especially from Brazil. I am currently working on an undergrad project aimed at describing and classifying new fossil materials of Testudines from the Tremembé Formation (Oligocene). Project funded by FAPESP.
Selene Souza Marazzio
I am an undergrad student in Geology at the University of São Paulo (IGc-USP). I am interested in field activities focused on the study of paleoenvironmental inferences. Currently, I am developing an outreach project translating Wikipedia articles on the Brazilian paleofauna from English and other languages to Portuguese. Project funded by the University of São Paulo.
Leonardo Aurelio G. da Silva
I am a Biologist with a degree from the University of Taubaté (UNITAU) and currently a Geology undergrad student at the University of São Paulo (IGc-USP). My main interest is the study of mesozoic archosaurs and I am currently working on a project focused on the paleohistology of a peirosaurid crocodylomorph specimen. Project funded by the University of São Paulo.
Fernanda Vicentini Serpa
Undergraduate student in Chemistry (Bachelor’s and Teaching degrees) at the Institute of Chemistry of the University of São Paulo (IQ-USP). She is particularly interested in applying Chemistry to other fields, especially Paleontology. She is currently developing a project focused on analyzing the diagenesis of fossils from the Bauru Basin using FTIR, aiming to assess their suitability for further analytical techniques. Project funded by FAPESP.
João Pedro F. S. Quirino
I am an undergraduate student in Biological Sciences (Teaching degree) at the Federal Institute of São Paulo (IFSP). I am interested in invertebrates, particularly insects (Insecta). I am currently conducting an undergraduate research project investigating past patterns of species richness and diversification rates in Lepidoptera based on the fossil record.
Giovana de Oliveira Yoneiama
I am an undergraduate Biology student at the University of São Paulo (IB-USP), with a primary interest in biodiversity conservation and its application to public policy. I am currently working on a project focused on analyzing the functional diversity and vulnerability of terrestrial mammals across Brazilian biomes. Project funded by FAPESP.
Emily Rodrigues Moreira
I am a bachelor's student in Biological Sciences at IB-USP. I am interested in paleoart and the Cretaceous fauna of Brazil. I am currently developing an outreach project focused on expanding and updating Wikipedia articles in Portuguese about the Brazilian paleofauna. Project funded by the University of São Paulo (PUB-USP).
Former members
Ana Clara de Moraes G. Annes
Ana Clara was the very first student in our lab! She developed an undergrad project in Biology at the University of São Paulo, launching the lab's research line in Conservation Paleobiology, with a focus on extinction patterns in Crocodylia. Project funded by the University of São Paulo. She is currently working as an environmental educator at Parque das Aves, a wildlife sanctuary in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
​Kamila Lima Mariano
Kamila was part of the lab during her time as an undergrad Biology student at the University of São Paulo. She developed a project focused on the Conservation Paleobiology of the genus Podocnemis and its implications to the conservation of living species.
Juliana Takahashi Machado
Juliana was part of the lab during her time as an undergrad Biology student at the University of São Paulo. She was interested in the evolution and ecology of South American mammalian paleofauna.
Jorge Luiz R. Saraiva da Silva
Jorge developed a project in the lab, as part of his undergrad studies in Biology at the University of São Paulo. His project focused on documenting deep-time patterns of Testudines extinction, to contribute to the conservation biology of living marine turtles. The project was funded by CNPq (PIBIC).
Sofia Krajnovic Xavier
Sofia was part of the lab during her time as an undergrad in Biology at the University of São Paulo. Her project focused on using comparative methods to reconstruct the ancestral ecology of Serpentes. Project was funded by the University of São Paulo.
​Marcos Kashiwaya Pinheiro
Geosciences graduate from the University of São Paulo, Marcos was involved in some lab activities during his time as an undergrad. He was in interested in non-avian dinosaurs, specifically in the clade Megaraptora.
Gabriela Karam Gama
Gabriela was part of the lab during her time as an undergrad Biology student at the University of São Paulo. Her project focused on estimating diversification rates throughout the evolutionary history of snakes. Project funded by FAPESP. She is currently an MSc student in Comparative Biology at FFCLRP-USP.