Ana Pereira

Ana Pereira serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Biosciences at ISPA - University Institute, where she is affiliated with the MARE – Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences. Her research integrates molecular techniques with field studies to investigate marine biodiversity, species distribution, and ecological dynamics along the Atlantic coast and European waters.

Her primary research foci include phylogeny and phylogeography, biogeography, and marine organism behavior, with emphasis on genetic validation of species identities and range expansions. She employs DNA barcoding, molecular ecology, and morphological analysis to address conservation challenges, invasive species impacts, and climate change effects on marine ecosystems, particularly focusing on fish and invertebrate taxa.

Analysis of her recent publications (2020-2025) reveals consistent contributions to marine biodiversity documentation, including first records of species in new regions and phylogenetic studies of lampreys and sea anemones. Her work demonstrates interdisciplinary reach, bridging marine science with health-related research through collaborative projects.

Dr. Pereira actively contributes to the MARE Center's mission through fieldwork in Portuguese and West African waters, advancing understanding of marine connectivity and genetic diversity. Her research supports conservation initiatives and sustainable management practices for vulnerable marine habitats.