Matilde Alves

Since I can remember, I have been passionate about nature and wildlife, especially the need to protect and conserve it. Over the years, this passion has grown into a clear academic path focused on biodiversity conservation.

In 2024, I completed my BSc in Biology at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (FCUP). My undergraduate project, entitled "Genetic diversity and population differentiation of the Iberian wildcat”, focused on understanding the genetic patterns of this elusive and threatened carnivore across its Iberian range.

Later that same year, I began my MSc in Conservation Biology at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon (FCUL), where I have been deepening my knowledge in ecology, conservation science, and wildlife management. Alongside my academic work, I have also started training as a scientific bird ringer, acquiring skills in bird identification, handling, and data collection for monitoring and conservation purposes.

I am currently starting my master’s thesis in Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only national park in Portugal and a key area for mammal biodiversity. This project aims to establish a baseline of the park’s mammal assemblage across a protection gradient, which will provide essential information on how human activities affect species distribution and community composition.

Through this work, I aim to contribute to the long-term conservation of mammal diversity in Mediterranean ecosystems and gain solid experience in ecological fieldwork, data analysis, and applied conservation strategies.