Project Manager
Luiz Gustavo Sereno is an Economist and a Ph.D. candidate in Economic Theory at Unicamp, Brazil. He is a researcher at the Center for Applied Economics at Unicamp and teaches Statistics and Econometrics at FACAMP. With a focus on Econometrics, his expertise encompasses Economic Demography, Reproductive Health, Economic Impact Assessment, Bioeconomics, Climate Change, Econometric Modeling, Machine Learning, and the application of Big Data Analysis to Economics. He boasts significant experience in data collection, processing, and management. He is the founder and Data Coordinator of the Painel da Floresta (Forest Panel), which stands as the foremost platform for integrating and visualizing data pertaining to Brazilian bioeconomics. He serves as the Manager and Data Coordinator for the DZC Project.
Fieldwork Team
Rafaela Melo is an undergraduate student in Psychology at the Catholic University of Pernambuco (UNICAP), with an expected graduation date in the first semester of 2025. She has experience in field research and works on projects focused on the socioemotional development of adolescents and the prevention of gender-based violence. She participated in the “Crescer Sem Violência” Project (Growing up without violence), serving as a field research supervisor. At the Education Secretariat of Recife, she worked as a tutor in a socioemotional project for students of the municipal school system. At the Women’s Secretariat of Recife, she contributed to the “Empodera Mulher” Project (Empower Women), aimed at preventing gender-based violence among adolescents. As an extension student in the SIC Project at UNICAP, she participated in welcoming incoming Psychology students. She is a fieldwork supervisor for the DZC Project.
Heloína Paiva (Master’s in Animal Biology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil) is a social research coordinator, with extensive experience in various national and international projects primarily focused on issues related to sexual and reproductive rights, public health, and social policies for women, children, adolescents, and other vulnerable populations. Her work integrates practices and methodologies aimed at social inclusion and the strengthening of public policies. Furthermore, she has made contributions to publications focused on the prevention of sexual exploitation and the promotion of human rights. She is a fieldwork coordinator assistant for the DZC Project, where she contributes to the development of research protocols and instruments, provides assistance to the coordination of the team, manages logistical operations, and supports the planning of data collection in the field.
Estefani Santos (Bachelor’s in Social Work, Brazilian University Center, Brazil) is a member of the Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous Studies Center at the Catholic University of Pernambuco and of the Conceição Evaristo Study Group, both in Brazil, where she conducts research focused on issues of gender, race, and class. She has experience as a supervisor, researcher, and interviewer in field research aimed at combating and preventing sexual exploitation, promoting human rights, and also contributing to sustainable development in urban settlements. She is a fieldwork supervisor for the DZC Project.
Operational Team
Stephannie Assenheimer has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Brazil, and holds a graduate certificate in Art Therapy from Faculdade Vicentina (FACIV). She is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Clinical Psychology (Existential Analysis and Gestalt Therapy) at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).
Her work experience is divided into two main areas. Her primary role is as a civil servant at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), where she has handled the operational and logistical monitoring of extension projects since 2017. She also works in a private practice as an online psychotherapist for teenagers, college students, and adults.
Stephannie serves as an Operations Assistant for the DZC Project.
Guilherme Bircol is a specialist with a multidisciplinary background in sustainable development and a strong interest in the relationship between Economics and the environment. He holds a Bachelor’s and a Teaching Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP), a Master’s degree in Sustainability also from USP, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Economic Development at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Professionally, he has worked in nonprofit, private, and research institutions, managing multiple projects focused on territorial strategic planning, corporate sustainability (ESG and corporate responsibility), stakeholder engagement and management, risk management in impact investments, and the assessment of environmental assets and ecosystem services. Academically, his research has focused on environmental policy and management, environmental impact assessments (EIA and SEA), multilevel governance, and, more recently, environmental economics, green, sustainable, and impact finance, and economic development.
Guilherme serves as a PMO Specialist for the DZC Project.