My passion for ecology

I have over 10 years of research experience in several countries, including the Czech Republic, the U.S., and the U.K. I attributes my love of nature to my father, a fellow nature lover who enjoyed gardening. I grew up surrounded by nature, and we had a very large garden. Every time I returned home, my mother would say, “Show me your pocket. What’s inside?”I would pull little insects out, chuckling. “I was always curious about animals and wanted to learn more about them.”

Ana Gouveia

My love of nature inspired me to pursue a career in ecological research. Encouraged by a professor who shared my passion for nature, ecology, biology, and zoology during my bachelor’s studies, I shifted my focus from biology in my undergraduate and master’s programs to specialize in ecology during my Ph.D., ultimately becoming a professor in the field.

As a researcher, I believe that passion is essential. Sometimes research can be tedious. Data collection may not always yield expected results, and setbacks are common. Without love and passion, you can’t work effectively. First, we need to help people understand the importance of studying ecology. Then, we must inspire them to fall in love with it.