Prof. Dr. Frank Ribeiro | Environmental Science | Innovative Teaching Practices Award

Prof. Dr. Frank Ribeiro is a prominent Brazilian zoologist specializing in Amazonian ichthyofauna, with extensive expertise in taxonomy, ecology, and biodiversity conservation. His research focuses on understanding fish diversity, distribution patterns, and the ecological dynamics of freshwater systems, particularly in the lower Amazon and Tapajós River basins. He has led and contributed to numerous projects investigating poorly studied riverine systems, including the Curuá, Maicuru, and Cupari basins, employing standardized sampling methodologies and integrating biotic and abiotic data to analyze ecological patterns and support conservation strategies. Ribeiro’s work combines field-based research with taxonomic and molecular studies, including the description of new species in genera such as Pimelodus and Chrysobrycon, and systematics studies on Ageneiosus. His efforts also extend to improving ichthyological collections and databases, enhancing the reliability and accessibility of fish data for scientific and conservation purposes. Over his career, he has mentored undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, fostering research capacity and knowledge dissemination in Amazonian ichthyology. Ribeiro’s publications are widely recognized in the scientific community, with over 761 citations on Google Scholar (h-index 14, i10-index 19) and 510 citations on Scopus (h-index 11), reflecting the impact of his work in biodiversity research and aquatic ecology. His research outputs include high-profile studies such as “Floodplain forests drive fruit-eating fish diversity at the Amazon Basin-scale” in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the taxonomic description of new Chrysobrycon species in Neotropical Ichthyology. His work has significantly contributed to understanding the structure and dynamics of Amazonian fish communities and informs conservation planning in critical freshwater ecosystems. Recognized for integrating innovative teaching practices with research, Ribeiro’s contributions bridge scientific investigation, practical conservation, and educational advancement, making him a fitting candidate for the Innovative Teaching Practices Award.