Joana Veríssimo

I recently completed my PhD in the BIODIV program (FCUP, CIBIO-InBIO), where my research focused on developing and applying molecular tools for biodiversity monitoring. This included the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches to detect invasive species, performance comparisons between Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms, and the impact of technical replicates on species detection. I also contributed to expanding freshwater fish reference barcodes through genome skimming.

My earlier work, during my MSc in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution at the University of Porto (2014), focused on the phylogeography and population genetics of the Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa), with emphasis on the conservation of Iberian populations.

I have hands-on experience in molecular lab techniques, including DNA extraction, PCR, metabarcoding, and Sanger sequencing, and I use R, Python, and Linux extensively for data analysis and workflow automation. My research interests lie in molecular ecology, conservation genetics, and the development of genomic tools to support biodiversity assessment and management.