Marta Luiz

I am a recent MSc graduate in Conservation Biology from the University of Évora, with a strong focus on animal behaviour and physiological ecology. My academic background is centred on experimental approaches to understanding how ecological interactions shape behavioural and physiological responses, particularly in freshwater fish.

During my master’s research, I investigated the effects of invasive species on the behaviour and physiology of a native fish species (*Squalius alburnoides*), integrating behavioural assays with the analysis of physiological stress markers, including cortisol and monoamines. This work involved designing and conducting controlled laboratory experiments, maintaining fish under experimental conditions, and analysing behavioural and physiological data using statistical approaches in R.

My scientific interests lie in behavioural ecology, animal physiology, and the mechanisms underlying stress responses and social interactions in aquatic organisms. I am particularly interested in how environmental stressors—such as species invasions and climate-related changes—affect behavioural strategies and neurophysiological regulation.

In addition to my academic research, I have gained hands-on experience in aquatic animal husbandry through volunteering at the Vasco da Gama Aquarium, where I assisted in the maintenance and care of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions.

Currently, I am working on the preparation of scientific manuscripts based on my master’s research, aiming to contribute to a better understanding of the links between behaviour, physiology, and environmental change in freshwater ecosystems.