Biography

V Ferreira graduated in Biology from the University of Coimbra in 2002, with a thesis on stream bioassessment using benthic macroinvertebrates based on the survey of 75 stream sites in the Mondego river basin. In 2007, V Ferreira completed her Ph.D. degree in Biology (specific field: Ecology) from the University of Coimbra, with a thesis on the effects of natural and human-driven environmental change on stream communities and litter decomposition, with a special focus on the effects of nutrient enrichment and forest change on stream structure and functioning, and also on the potential for litter decomposition to be used as a bioindicator of stream functional integrity. After completing her Ph.D., V Ferreira undertook two postdoctoral projects: Between 2007–2012, she carried out research at IMAR (University of Coimbra, Portugal), at EcoLab (CNRS, Toulouse, France), and at the Benthos Ecology Laboratory (Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil) to evaluate the effects of global change factors on stream communities and processes; Between 2012–2015, she carried out research at IMAR (University of Coimbra, Portugal) and at the School of Biological Sciences (Royal Holloway University of London, England) to assess the effects of anthropogenic activities on stream functioning by means of meta-analysis. Since May 2015, V Ferreira is an Auxiliary Researcher at the University of Coimbra (MARE). She keeps using field correlative studies (at regional, continental and global scales), field manipulative studies (including manipulations at the whole-stream scale), laboratory studies (microcosms), as well as meta-analysis to address the effects of environmental change on stream structure and functioning. Effects of forest change (e.g. eucalyptus plantations, invasion by exotic tree species, infection by invasive pathogens) on stream communities and functioning are recurrent topics of interest.
V Ferreira has participated in 16 research projects (4 as PI; 5 within large global networks). She has published >70 papers in peer-reviewed journals (+12 book chapters) with >4500 citations and an h-index of 34 (Google Scholar). She has also edited one book on Portuguese streams. She has given 16 invited talks (3 as plenary in international congresses), and authored 70 oral talks and 29 posters in scientific congresses.
V Ferreira has also (co-)supervised master and Ph.D. students and fellows, lectured in advanced post-graduation courses, (co-)organized conferences and courses, and organized and participated in science communication activities. She has reviewed projects for international funding agencies and academic programs, reviewed papers for 52 international scientific journals, served as Guest Editor for Limnetica 2020 special issue 39(1), and serves as Associate Editor for Hydrobiologia (since 2014) and Functional Ecology (since 2020). She is also Vice-President of the Iberian Limnological Association.
(informed on Dec2021)