Research Project
2024 – Present
CO2 inventory and deforestation in the Atlantic Forest
This research aims to estimate CO2 emissions and deforestation rates in the Atlantic Forest using data from the Mapbiomas Project, while getting data of biomass burning from fire inventories (Quick Fire Emissions Dataset, Global Fire Emissions Dataset, Global Fire Assimilation System and the Brazilian Biomass Burning Model with FRP assimilation). The study quantifies carbon dioxide emissions associated with land use changes, focusing on deforestation and wildfire impacts. It also analyzes wildfire patterns across South America, examining their frequency, intensity, and spatial distribution in relation to climate variability, land management, and human activities. The results provide key insights for policy development, conservation strategies, and wildfire management in the region.
Project Team: Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (PI)
Gabriel Pereira (Co-PI)
Jean Euzébio Lima Oliveira (Research Assistant)
Maria Eduarda Dias Pereira (Junior Research Assistant)
Sponsor: World Environmental Conservancy
2022 – 2023
Analysis of the Relationship Between Wildfire Occurrence and Climate Change in the State of Alaska (USA)
This project aims to develop a comprehensive monthly database of wildfire occurrences in the State of Alaska (USA) and investigate the relationship between wildfire activity and climate variability and change over the period 2012–2021 using satellite-derived observations. The research is based on the well-established evidence that the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires worldwide are associated with rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather conditions that favor fire ignition and propagation. In Alaska, where lightning is the primary natural ignition source and additional events result from intentional or accidental human activities, the project will assess the temporal and spatial patterns of fire occurrence and their association with key climatic variables, contributing to a better understanding of wildfire dynamics in high-latitude ecosystems under a changing climate.
Project Team: Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (PI)
Marcelo Romão Oliveira (Co-PI)
Kimberly Gabriely Silva Teixeira (Junior Research Assistant)
Sponsor: World Environmental Conservancy
2022-2024
Climate Change Impacts on the Survival of Emperor Penguins on Snow Hill Island
This project investigates the influence of climate variability and climate change on the survival of emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) on Snow Hill Island, Antarctica, through the integration of meteorological monitoring, satellite observations of sea ice, and colony data from 2000 to 2021. The research evaluates the relationships between extreme weather events, sea ice variability, colony dynamics, and the effects of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and regional wind patterns on penguin reproduction and survival.
Project Team: Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (PI)
Marcelo Romão Oliveira (Co-PI)
Andrea Presotto (Co-PI)
Cecilia Tavares (Junior Research Assistant)
Sponsor: World Environmental Conservancy
2021 -2023
Analyses of the accuracy of previous predictions of the occurrence of forest fires in the Amazon
The Amazon rainforest has a fundamental relationship with the planet’s climate and is home to vast biodiversity and important ecosystems and has been the focus of increasing deforestation due to agricultural expansion and land occupation, with the risk that this region will soon undergo a process of savannization. This project selected a UNIFEI student fellow to analyze scientific publications and the Evaluation Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Climáticas (IPCC), relating and comparing the changes observed in the global situation and specifically in the Amazon region, with projections made in the last three decades.
Project Team: Ana Carolina Vasques Freitas (PI)
Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (Co-PI)
Letícia Alves Pinto (Junior Research Assistant)
Sponsor: World Environmental Conservancy
2020 – 2022
Influence of Current and Future Meteorological Conditions on Wildfire Occurrence in the Amazon
This project investigates the influence of current and future meteorological conditions on wildfire occurrence in the Amazon by integrating satellite observations, meteorological models, atmospheric reanalysis, and environmental data. The research evaluates the relationships between climate variability, temperature, precipitation, humidity, drought conditions, and fire activity, while assessing future wildfire risk under climate change scenarios. The project also produces technical bulletins and monitoring products to support environmental management, wildfire prevention, and the conservation of Amazon ecosystems.
Project Team: Ana Carolina Vasques Freitas (PI)
Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (Co-PI)
Rose Marie Belardi (Co-PI)
Marcelo Romão Oliveira (Co-PI)
José Guilherme Martins dos Santos (Co-PI)
Sponsor: World Environmental Conservancy
2017-2024
Explosive Cyclones on the Antarctic Coast (EXCANC) project
The Explosive Cyclones on the Antarctic Coast (EXCANC) project aims to monitor and characterize explosive cyclogenesis events along the Antarctic coastline through the analysis of meteorological observations, satellite imagery, and atmospheric models. The project integrates data from 13 coastal research stations to identify, catalog, and analyze bomb cyclones, creating a unique database of these high-impact weather systems. Currently covering approximately 55% of the Antarctic coast, EXCANC seeks to expand its monitoring network to 80%, providing valuable information for polar meteorology, climate research, and the improvement of severe weather forecasting in Antarctica.
Project Team: Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (PI)
Marcelo Romão Oliveira (Co-PI)
Luciana Rossato Spatafora (Co-PI)
Ana Carolina Vasques Freitas (Co-PI)
Carly Masters (Research Assistant)
Sponsor: World Environmental Conservancy
2017-2018
Polar Meteorology Project: Meteorological and Climatological Monitoring of Antarctica
The Polar Meteorology Project conducts scientific research on the atmospheric dynamics and climate variability of Antarctica through the integration of surface meteorological observations, satellite remote sensing, and numerical weather prediction models. The project places special emphasis on the long-term meteorological monitoring of the Palmer and Mc Murdo research stations, where systematic analyses of temperature, wind, snowfall, and other key atmospheric variables are performed to characterize local and regional climate variability. Its scientific objectives include investigating Antarctic weather systems, assessing extreme meteorological events, evaluating their relationship with large-scale climate modes and climate change, and developing high-quality datasets to support polar research. The project also produces technical bulletins and scientific products that contribute to the understanding of Antarctic climate processes and provide valuable resources for the international scientific community.
Project Team: Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (PI)
Marcelo Romão Oliveira (Co-PI)
Ludimila Fabiana da Silva Ferreira (Co-PI)
Carly Masters (Research Assistant)
Sponsor: World Environmental Conservancy
2017-2018
Tropical Meteorology Project
This project investigates the main atmospheric and oceanic systems controlling climate variability in the Amazon region, including the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and tropical Atlantic Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies. Using satellite imagery, NCEP reanalysis data, and numerical weather models, the project monitors precipitation, drought conditions, and atmospheric circulation to assess the impacts of climate variability and climate change on the Amazon rainforest and its environmental services, contributing to climate research and environmental monitoring.
Project Team: Ana Carolina Vasques Freitas (PI)
Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (Co-PI)
Karla Simão Dias (Junior Research Assistant)
Kimberly Gabriely Silva Teixeira (Junior Research Assistant)
Sponsor: World Environmental Conservancy
2016 – Present
Science for the World Project
Science for the World is an educational initiative created in 2016 by the World Environmental Conservancy, dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and scientific education. The project seeks to emphasize the vital role that protected ecological regions and natural ecosystems play in maintaining the planet’s climate equilibrium and environmental stability. Through education, outreach, and scientific dissemination, the initiative aims to inspire present and future generations to recognize the importance of environmental conservation, sustainable practices, and the preservation of Earth’s natural heritage. By fostering a deeper understanding of the connection between ecological protection and climate balance, Science for the World contributes to building a more conscious, informed, and environmentally responsible society. Since its creation, the project has supported initiatives focused on climate science, biodiversity conservation, environmental monitoring, and public engagement, reinforcing the importance of science as a tool for protecting the future of the planet.
Project Team: Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (PI)
Marcelo Romão Oliveira (Co-PI)
Andrea Presotto (Co-PI)
Luciana Rossato Spatafora (Co-PI)
Ludimila Fabiana da Silva Ferreira (Co-PI)
Ana Carolina Vasques Freitas (Co-PI)
Sponsor: World Environmental Conservancy
2013 – 2014
Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of Atmospheric Turbulence over Coastal Cliffs
This project investigates atmospheric turbulence generated by coastal cliffs using three-dimensional numerical modeling based on the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) approach. Building upon previous two-dimensional studies validated with wind tunnel experiments and observational data, the research aims to characterize the Internal Boundary Layer under different cliff geometries and atmospheric conditions. The project contributes to advancing the understanding of coastal boundary-layer processes and supports applications in meteorology, environmental studies, and wind engineering through high-resolution numerical simulations and scientific publications.
Project Team: Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (Postdoc)
Gilberto Fisch (Collaborator)
Leandro Franco Souza (Collaborator)
Thorsten Stoesser (Supervisor)
Sponsor: Brazilian Awarded Best PhD Thesis 2010 in Geosciences. Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES).
2013 – 2013
Analyses of Shallow Convection over the Amazon Coastal Region Using Satellite Observations and Numerical Modeling
This project investigates the development and evolution of shallow convection over the Amazon coastal region through the integration of satellite observations, field campaign data, and numerical modeling. The research focuses on the role of shallow convection as a precursor to deep convective systems and its contribution to the regional energy and water cycles. Satellite infrared imagery from GOES, atmospheric observations from the CHUVA experiment, and a Single Column Model (SCM) incorporating the JPL/NASA shallow convection parameterization are used to evaluate the representation of convective processes and associated thermodynamic variables. The project aims to improve the understanding and parameterization of tropical convection, contributing to advances in weather forecasting and climate modeling for the Amazon region.
Project Team: Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (Researcher)
Kay Suselj (Collaborator)
Luciana Rossato Spatafora (Collaborator)
João Teixeira (Senior Personnel)
A New Carbon Flux Site: Innovative methods of atmosphere-terrestrial carbon exchange measurements and modeling (Bridge Proposal).
This project harnesses cutting-edge technologies available both in national laboratories and academic institutions, to generate unprecedent insights leading to new, highly relevant biological and physical process information about the carbon cycle.
Project Team: Monique Y. Leclerc (PI)
Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (Postdoc)
Henrique F. Duarte (Graduate Student)
David Durden (Graduate Student)
Gengsheng Zhang (Research Associate)
Matt Parker (Co-PI)
Robert Kurzeja (Co-PI)
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Aerospace Meteorology
Study of aerospace meteorology, with emphasis on the coupling processes between surface fluxes and the atmospheric boundary layer in the regions of the Alcântara Launch Center and the Amazon, aiming to improve the understanding of atmospheric dynamics and their impacts on aerospace operations, weather forecasting, and environmental monitoring.
Project Team: Gilberto Fisch (PI)
Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (Graduate Student)
Sponsor: Brazilian Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES)
Effects of Intake Valve Timing Offset on the Volumetric Efficiency of Internal Combustion Engines
The objective of this project is to investigate the effects of intake valve opening timing offset on the volumetric efficiency of an internal combustion engine equipped with two intake valves per cylinder. The study aims to evaluate how variations in valve timing influence the air intake process, cylinder filling, and overall engine performance, providing insights that may contribute to the optimization of valve actuation strategies and improvements in engine efficiency.
Project Team: José Ricardo Sodré (PI)
Sérgio de Moraes Hanriot (Co-PI)
Luciana Bassi Marinho Pires (Graduate Student)
Leonardo Vinícius Mendes Pereira (Graduate Student)
Leonardo da Mata Guimarães (Undergraduate Student)
Alahdjin Atan Pinto (Undergraduate Student)
João Nildo de Souza Vianna (Undergraduate Student)
Sponsors: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brazil
Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES)
Research Support Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)
Fiat Automóveis S.A. – Research Cooperation Program