Beatriz Sofia Gomes Alves

I graduated as a DVM from ICBAS - University of Porto, in 2010, and completed the MVetSci Conservation Medicine, University of Edinburgh, in 2020. My dissertation project, entitled "Infectious disease status of the Scottish free-living cat population, including European wildcat (Felis silvestris), domestic cats (Felis catus) and domestic-wildcat hybrids, in the context of F. silvestris conservation”, consisted in the epidemiological analysis of the disease surveillance data collected by Scottish Wildcat Action, between 2015 and 2020.

I was part of the team at the Iberian Lynx National Breeding Centre (CNRLI), Silves, between 2011 and 2014, which provided me with valuable knowledge on the health management and disease surveillance of a critically endangered felid species. I worked as a veterinary surgeon in small animal practice for 11 years, with a particular focus on feline medicine and welfare. I have participated in several wildlife health courses, including in South Africa, UK, India and Thailand. I am a member of EUROWILDCAT, a collaborative scientific network aiming to facilitate pan-European research and data sharing, to advance the knowledge and conservation of the European wildcat.  

My PhD focuses on the genetic and epidemiological interface between wildcats and domestic cats and its potential impact on wildcat conservation. The project involves a partnership between CIBIO-InBIO and RZSS Saving Wildcats project, in Scotland. I am strongly enthusiastic about One Health/Conservation Medicine and the need to adopt a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach, in order to understand and manage the complex health issues that we face.