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Beatriz Saldanha

Beatriz Saldanha

Research Technician

Details
Position
Research Technician
Member type
Technical Staff
Degree
MSc
Address
CIBIO-InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
Groups
My networks
iD
I did my bachelor degree in Biology by the University of Aveiro, where in the last year I presented my research done on the optimization of histological techniques and toxicological study (to see the effect of biopesticides, how these occupied tissues, which organs were more affected, in tadpoles; besides the impact that these compounds may have in nature). My master degree was by the Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution, where I had the opportunity to work in the Animal Behaviour area, thus my thesis being focused on the effects of serotonin (5-HT) on common waxbills’ (Estrilda astrild) behaviour. A very interesting work, since the serotonergic system is rather complex and it remains unclear, particularly in avian models, for which information is yet sparse. During this time, I understood more about this species ecology, aviary maintenance, to quantify, manage and analyse large datasets resorting to softwares such as The Observer XT, SPSS, R and SigmaPlot. Also had the chance to work with reflectance spectrophotometry (Ocean Optics), and to assist and be involved in other ongoing research.

Behaviour became a large area of interest for me, captivating in every way and making me want to perceive this path, that is to further understand a species, its ecology and phsyiology, especially regarding the environmental changes that we’re facing. Currently, I’m working as a Research Technician, dealing with aviary maintenance, assisting and doing investigation in other ongoing research in behavioural ecology, cognition and social networks, besides the main project engrossed regarding the interaction between neurobiology and social behaviour in a gregarious avian model species, the common waxbill, and how those individual behavioural responses work at a larger scale: social network structure.

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