Maria’s work focuses on enhancing the understanding of the biogeography and evolution of marine lineages. After receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Oceanography in my home country of Brazil, she lived in Okinawa for ten years to pursue her PhD and undertake postdoctoral research at the University of the Ryukyus and OIST. After this time, she joined the ToBo Lab as a postdoc in February 2025. Maria is passionate about Brazilian music, good beer, and the summertime (even better when combined).