Wafa Adel Alhalabi | Cretaceous Vertebrate Fossil | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Zoology Honour

Dr. Wafa Adel Alhalabi | Cretaceous Vertebrate Fossil | Women Researcher Award

Research Assistant at Sao Paulo University, Brazil

Wafa Adel Alhalabi is a Syrian-Brazilian paleontologist and biologist born in Damascus on May 14, 1980. With a lifelong passion for ancient life and environmental conservation, she holds a Ph.D. in Paleontology from the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil. Her multidisciplinary background bridges paleobiology, environmental management, and biological sciences. Wafa’s career spans continents and cultures, from conducting fieldwork in the Middle East to managing water laboratories in West Africa. She has made significant contributions to the recovery and analysis of vertebrate fossils from Syria, Brazil, and other regions. A dynamic lecturer, mentor, and science communicator, she has been a keynote speaker and active participant in numerous global conferences. Fluent in Arabic, English, Portuguese, and conversant in Spanish and French, Wafa exemplifies cross-cultural scientific engagement. Her mission is not only to uncover prehistoric life but also to inspire and empower women in science through active involvement in educational outreach and scientific events.

Professional Profiles📖

Scopus

Google Scholar

ORCID

🎓 Education

Wafa Alhalabi holds a Ph.D. in Paleontology (2017–2021) from the University of São Paulo (USP), where her doctoral research provided a detailed review of appendicular skeleton characters in early dinosaur phylogenies, supervised by Dr. Max Cardoso Langer. She earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Management (2006–2008) through a joint program between Damascus University (Syria) and Poitiers University (France), focusing on risk analysis in public waste sites. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology (1999–2004) from Damascus University, where she developed foundational expertise in ecological systems and biodiversity. This interdisciplinary training has enabled her to work across both environmental and paleontological research domains. Wafa’s educational path reflects her commitment to merging environmental stewardship with the historical understanding of Earth’s life forms, equipping her to tackle modern scientific challenges with a deep-time perspective.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Wafa Alhalabi’s professional experience spans research, environmental consultancy, teaching, and lab management. From 2022 to 2024, she worked as a fossil preparator and curator at the Laboratory of Paleontology, University of São Paulo (USP), handling delicate vertebrate specimens. Since 2018, she has served as Lab Manager at Liberlab Water Analysis Laboratory in Liberia, West Africa, managing environmental diagnostics. Between 2008 and 2016, she worked as an environmental consultant and biologist for ELARD across the Arab region. Her teaching roles include co-advising student projects on crocodyliform and dinosaur anatomy, and delivering short courses on fossil preparation. Wafa has also participated extensively in outreach initiatives, including the creation of Syria’s first geopark and organizing science education events like Darwin Day and “Ready to be a Scientist”. Her international experience in research and management uniquely positions her as a scientific leader bridging paleontology and environmental science.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Wafa Alhalabi has earned significant recognition in paleontological and scientific circles. She was a keynote speaker at the 5th Paleontological Virtual Congress in March 2025, and a lecturer at prestigious events such as the XXVIII Brazilian Congress of Paleontology and the Global Scientific Congress on Geology & Earth Science in Dubai. As head of the scientific community for the 2023 Regional Meeting of the Brazilian Society of Paleontology (Paleo SP), she showcased leadership in scientific coordination. Wafa also earned the role of organizer and participant in numerous educational science outreach initiatives like “Jurassic Holidays” and Darwin Day in Brazil. She has represented her research across Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, gaining accolades for both scientific rigor and public engagement. Her continued peer-review work for journals like The Journal of Oman Studies and International Journal of Avian & Wildlife Biology further underscores her standing in the scientific community.

🔬 Research Focus

Wafa Adel Alhalabi specializes in vertebrate paleontology with a focus on Mesozoic and Cenozoic reptiles from Syria and South America. Her doctoral work delved into comparative phylogenetics of early dinosaurs, providing a taxonomic and anatomical framework for future studies. Through the “Recovering Lost Time in Syria” project, she has brought to light rare fossil records—including abelisaurid dinosaurs, stereogenyini turtles, and elasmosaurids—highlighting Syria’s untapped paleontological potential. She also contributes to projects on crocodyliforms, early ornithischians, and micro-remains from Peru. Beyond taxonomy, her work emphasizes conservation paleobiology, fossil preparation techniques, and science diplomacy. She is deeply invested in reviving Syrian paleontology amidst geopolitical challenges, bridging academic collaboration between Brazil and the Middle East. Wafa’s broader research ethos incorporates environmental management, seeking to understand past ecosystems to inform present-day ecological restoration and sustainability.

🛠️  Research Skills

Wafa Alhalabi brings a wide array of technical and interpersonal skills to her multidisciplinary roles. Her laboratory expertise includes fossil preparation, curation, CT data processing, and anatomical reconstruction using Amira and Avizo software. She is proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and advanced MS Office applications, essential for scientific visualization and documentation. Her programming capabilities in R enable her to analyze morphometric and phylogenetic datasets. Linguistically, she is fluent in Arabic, English, and Portuguese, with basic proficiency in Spanish and French—ideal for international collaboration. She excels in field research, lab management, and science communication. Her leadership experience spans organizing conferences, mentoring students, and fostering public science literacy. With years of consultancy in environmental diagnostics and water analysis, she bridges biology, geology, and sustainability. These combined capabilities make her a versatile scientist with both the depth and agility to tackle complex interdisciplinary challenges.

✅ Conclusion 

Dr. Wafa Adel Alhalabi is an outstanding multidisciplinary woman researcher whose scientific achievements, international collaborations, cultural outreach, and dedication to underrepresented regions make her exceptionally suitable for a Women Researcher Award. Her contributions not only fill major gaps in Syrian paleontology but also embody the transformative power of cross-cultural science.

Her candidacy aligns strongly with the goals of such an award: recognizing women who break barriers, promote inclusivity, and contribute meaningfully to global science. 🌍🦖👩‍🔬

Publications Top Notes📚

🦕 Recovering lost time in Syria: New Late Cretaceous (Coniacian–Santonian) elasmosaurid remains from the Palmyrides mountain chain
📅 Year: 2024
🔢 Citations: 0

🐜 First fossil insect from Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber in Syria (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)
📅 Year: 2015
🔢 Citations: 17

🧱 New outcrop of amber from Lebanon and Syria
📅 Year: 2012
🔢 Citations: 3

🦖 Comprehensive review of phylogenetic characters in early dinosaurs – Preliminary results
📅 Year: 2021
🔢 Citations: 0

Beatriz Pires da Silva | Parasitology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Zoology Honour

Ms. Beatriz Pires da Silva | Parasitology | Best Researcher Award

Master’s student in Parasitic Biology at Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Brazil

Beatriz Pires da Silva is a passionate biomedical scientist and Master’s student in Parasitic Biology at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (Fiocruz), Brazil 🧪. From her undergraduate days, she has worked closely with the Malaria Research Laboratory (LPM), a reference center in the extra-Amazon region 🇧🇷. Beatriz’s early scientific contributions focus on zoonotic malaria transmission and molecular diagnostic markers for Plasmodium falciparum. Her first-author publication has contributed to raising awareness of lesser-known transmission pathways of malaria in Brazil, with implications for public health policies. She has collaborated with respected international scientists such as Didier Menard and George Snounou 🌍. Though at the beginning of her career, Beatriz exhibits exceptional dedication to research, public health, and scientific development. Her goal is to continue building knowledge that supports malaria control, elimination, and innovation through evidence-based molecular research and collaborative science 🤝.

Professional Profiles📖

ORCID

Education 🎓

Beatriz Pires da Silva is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Parasitic Biology at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute / Fiocruz in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 📘. Her educational journey began during her undergraduate studies in Biomedical Sciences, where she engaged in research at the Malaria Research Laboratory (LPM), a leading center for malaria studies in the Brazilian extra-Amazon region 🔬. During this time, she was actively involved in molecular diagnostic activities, gaining hands-on training in techniques crucial to infectious disease analysis. Her graduation thesis focused on zoonotic malaria transmission and has since evolved into a published scientific article 📝. Through her academic path, Beatriz has demonstrated a commitment to mastering the molecular aspects of parasitology and developing research that bridges field data with laboratory science. She continues to expand her academic skills in genetics, epidemiology, and malaria diagnosis, setting a strong foundation for a career in tropical disease research 🌿.

Work Experience💼

Beatriz’s research experience began at the Malaria Research Laboratory (LPM), where she worked during her undergraduate years as a student researcher 👩‍🔬. She actively participated in the molecular diagnosis routine at CPD-Mal (Malaria Research, Diagnosis, and Training Center), gaining valuable practical exposure to real-time diagnostics, PCR, and gene analysis 🧬. Her main contribution during this time was compiling and analyzing data related to zoonotic malaria transmission in Brazil’s extra-Amazon region — a project that led to her first scientific publication. Currently, she is researching deletions and mutations in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes in Plasmodium falciparum, which are vital for improving rapid diagnostic tests in Brazil ⚕️. Although early in her career, Beatriz has already formed international collaborations and contributed meaningfully to understanding malaria transmission patterns. Her experience reflects a blend of laboratory precision, scientific writing, data interpretation, and an evolving understanding of global parasitic diseases 🌎.

Awards and Honors 🏆

As a rising early-career researcher, Beatriz Pires da Silva is now entering the stage of her academic journey where formal recognitions are beginning to emerge 🌟. While she has not yet received major individual awards, her recent first-author publication and active research involvement at one of Brazil’s premier public health institutions (Fiocruz) are testaments to her growing impact 🧬. Her collaborations with leading global malaria experts such as Didier Menard and George Snounou are prestigious achievements that reflect her research potential. Beatriz’s current nomination for the Best Researcher Award stands as her first significant external recognition — highlighting her commitment to science, molecular innovation, and public health improvement. As her publication count grows and her research reaches broader audiences, she is poised to earn academic and scientific honors in the near future for her efforts in neglected tropical diseases and molecular parasitology 🏆.

Skills💡

Beatriz Pires da Silva brings a strong foundation in molecular biology techniques including DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and molecular diagnostics 🧪. She is skilled in scientific literature review, data analysis, and academic writing, as demonstrated by her first-author publication in the area of zoonotic malaria 📖. Her analytical thinking, precision in lab work, and structured approach to scientific inquiries allow her to handle complex datasets and molecular evidence efficiently. Beatriz is also adept at collaborating across disciplines and engaging with international research teams 🤝. Her experience at CPD-Mal equipped her with practical knowledge in real-time diagnostics and laboratory routines for parasitic diseases. Additionally, she is developing competencies in bioinformatics and gene analysis tools, specifically in studying genetic deletions in Plasmodium falciparum. Bilingual communication (Portuguese and English) adds to her strengths, enabling global academic collaboration. She continues to expand her skill set to support research excellence and innovation 🌐.

Research Focus 🔬

Beatriz Pires da Silva’s research is centered on the molecular biology of malaria, with particular attention to zoonotic transmission and gene deletions affecting diagnostic tools 🔍. Her first major contribution involved a review of zoonotic malaria in Brazil’s extra-Amazon region, where she synthesized ecological, entomological, and molecular data to clarify underreported transmission pathways 🦟. This work addresses a gap in malaria control strategies and has implications for Brazil’s elimination goals. Currently, Beatriz is investigating deletions in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes of Plasmodium falciparum, which can impair the accuracy of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) — a key issue in malaria diagnosis and treatment 📊. Her research bridges molecular genetics, epidemiology, and diagnostic innovation, reflecting a multidisciplinary and impactful approach to parasitic disease management. With strong analytical skills and a commitment to applied science, Beatriz is contributing to more effective public health interventions through molecular-level insights 🧫.

Conclusion✅

Beatriz Pires da Silva, although at the beginning of her academic career, demonstrates remarkable promise, rigor, and a deep commitment to solving real-world challenges in malaria research. Her work already contributes to an underrepresented but vital domain — zoonotic malaria — and has implications for national health strategies. While not yet seasoned enough to compete with established senior researchers for the “Best Researcher Award,” she stands out as an exceptional candidate for an early-career or emerging researcher category. Her profile suggests a bright future marked by meaningful contributions to parasitology and global health.

Publications Top Notes📚

Publication Title: Autochthonous malaria in Brazil outside the Amazon: Emergence, zoonotic transmission and implications for disease control

Journal: One Health

Publication Date: December 2024

DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100928