Eduardo R. Alexandrino

I’m currently working on the project Benefits and challenges of citizen science—Examples from the U.S. to guide initiatives in Brazil, which is supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation, Brazil (FAPESP), and is partnered with the Cornell Lab’s Center for Engagement in Science & Nature/Project FeederWatch.

Since graduating in 2006, I have been committed to understanding why and how birds live in urban and rural landscapes, what these birds can tell us about their environments, and how we can protect them and learn about their conservation at the same time as we enjoy watching them. After years of doing conventional research, citizen science publications from the Cornell Lab inspired me to learn more about how to involve birders and nature enthusiasts in the research process. I believe that involving citizen scientists in research projects can be beneficial for the whole of society, both human and avain.

In 2016, I created the citizen science project Did I see a banded bird?! in Brazil. This project promotes environmental awareness among citizens while they help monitor banded birds in human-modified landscapes, such as birds using bird feeders. While working on this project, which is still active, I also realized that citizen science goes beyond one researcher’s willingness to engage citizens in the science process. So, I came to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology with the goal to expand my understanding of the citizen science approach. My aim is to apply the knowledge I gain at the Cornell Lab to plan citizen science projects in Brazil.

Education

Ph.D., Universidade de São Paulo