Cristiana Castello-Branco

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

I am a biologist specialized in sponges (a spongiologist), interested in the biodiversity of deep-sea sponges and in answering questions regarding their evolutionary relationships and distribution. In other words, my work is to classify, describe, and try to understand deep-sea sponges species relationships and geographical distribution. To solve those puzzles, I use different approaches, such as morphology, genetics and ecology, to better identify them. I am also interested in how species distribution changes along latitudinal and bathymetrical ranges in the oceans.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

I grow up in a coastal city, playing in and exploring pool tides and reefs, always interested in knowing more about what I found in nature. After taking biology in college, I did an internship assisting in the curation of the Porifera collection and learning the first steps to be a taxonomist. Since then, my curiosity to identify and to describe the diversity of sponges in the world never stopped to grow.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

So many people have influenced and encouraged me. But definitely a few names encouraged me the most to follow my path on work in the deep sea. My graduate advisors, Eduardo Hajdu and Allen Collins, always supporting me. My graduate professor Lucia Campos, who influenced me during her lectures and discussions on deep sea environments. And, in the last years, Andrea Quattrini who has been kind of a mentor, always encouraging me.

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

The most fascinating thing about my work is to solve puzzles, identifying and describing creatures never seen before.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

Through a partnership between OET and the Ocean Census (an initiative to accelerate the description of biodiversity in the oceans), I was invited to be part of the expedition team.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

Since I did an internship in a sponge taxonomy lab, I didn’t stop. However, I did my Master’s dissertation in freshwater sponges systematics, which, after, helped me go follow back my path in Marine sciences during my PhD. Later, I got the Peter Buck fellowship at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where, exploring the huge collection, I had the opportunity of strength my skills in glass-sponges taxonomy, and participated of expeditions in the Caribbean (including diving in a submarine!).

What are your degrees and certifications?

PhD in Zoology - Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 2018;
Master of Zoology - Universidade Federal da Bahia 2013;
Bachelor in Biology - Universidade Católica de Salvador (UCSAL) 2010.

What are your hobbies?

I love to spend time at the beach, watch movies, exhibitions, go to coffee places, or gather with family and friends.

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career likes yours?

If you want to follow Marine Sciences, apply for internships. Try to figure out what most excites you and gets your attention, it is not that easy but as long as you are doing what you really enjoy, worth it. Try different opportunities, learn complementary skills, and keep your mind opening to the different ways to possibilities to reach your goals.