Gabriela Mendonça Soares
PhD Candidate in Psychobiology • Ecologist • Researcher in human–nature relationships
Researcher at the intersection of Psychobiology and Ecology, investigating biophilia, nature connectedness, and behavioral evolution, exploring how environmental perception relates to well-being and environmental education.
About Me
Gabriela Mendonça Soares is a PhD candidate in Psychobiology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Brazil. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychobiology and a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology from the same institution.
Her academic path connects Environmental Psychobiology, Ecology, Behavioral Evolution, Environmental Education, and Biophilia, with a particular interest in human–nature relationships.
Her work includes research, teaching, outreach, and science communication activities involving green spaces, nature connectedness, environmental perception, environmental education, and natural and simulated environments.
Research Interests
Education
PhD in Psychobiology
2025–presentMaster’s degree in Psychobiology
2023–2025MBA in Environmental Management
2024–2025Specialization in Environmental Auditing, Expertise and Licensing
2024–2025Specialization in Environmental Law
2021–2022Bachelor/Licensure in Biological Sciences
2021–presentBachelor’s degree in Ecology
2015–2021Academic and Professional Experience
Ad hoc Reviewer for research and outreach projects
Technical-scientific analysis of proposals submitted to institutional calls, scoring according to notice criteria, and issuance of technical reports via SUAP.
CAPES Master’s Scholarship Holder in Psychobiology
Research on dietary patterns among university students in urban and rural contexts, focusing on the influence of nature connectedness on eating choices.
- Teaching assistance in a Nutrition class
- Participation in academic and scientific meetings
- Support for undergraduate research students affiliated with the laboratory
Teaching Assistant in Entomology
Support for Entomology-related courses, including practical activities in insect identification, specimen preparation, and use of digital tools in teaching.
Research and Outreach Assistant in Environmental Education
Science outreach and environmental education in an urban Atlantic Forest/restinga fragment at UFRN, including guided visits, lectures, contests, and science communication.
Volunteer Intern
Assistance in environmental licensing, preparation of licensing documents, and local fauna and flora surveys.
Research and Outreach Projects
Nature at the Table: Dietary Patterns of University Students in Urban and Rural Contexts
Investigation of eating behaviors in urban and rural contexts, focusing on the influence of nature connectedness on food choices.
La.Na. Mata dos Saguis
Science and environmental education project in an urban Atlantic Forest/restinga fragment, with environmental awareness, teaching, research, outreach, guided trails, and science communication activities.
Publications & Presentations
Conference Proceedings Abstracts
SOARES, G. M.
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Master's Thesis (Psychobiology). 2025.
Inequality at the Table: The Impact of Income on University Students' Food Choices
FINI, G. G.; MONTEIRO, H. M. S. C.; TAVARES, M. E. B.; COSTA, A. V. C.; SOARES, G. M.; LOPES, F. A.
11ª Conferência de Psicobiologia; 16º Simpósio em Psicobiologia. Natal, RN. UFRN. p. 46–46. (Abstract published in conference proceedings)
Between the Plate and the Mirror: How Youth's Search for Beauty Standards Influences the Food Choices of University Students
TAVARES, M. E. B.; COSTA, A. V. C.; FINI, G. G.; MONTEIRO, H. M. S. C.; SOARES, G. M.; LOPES, F. A.
11ª Conferência de Psicobiologia; 16º Simpósio em Psicobiologia. Natal, RN. UFRN. p. 48–48. (Abstract published in conference proceedings)
Between Gardens and Fast-Foods: Unveiling Dietary Patterns of Urban and Rural University Students
SOARES, G. M.; FINI, G. G.; TAVARES, M. E. B.; MONTEIRO, H. M. S. C.; COSTA, A. V. C.; LOPES, F. A.
11ª Conferência de Psicobiologia; 16º Simpósio em Psicobiologia. Natal, RN. UFRN. p. 47–47. (Abstract published in conference proceedings)
Application of Digital Tools and Practical Active Methodologies in Entomology Teaching
SANTOS, W. W. A.; BASILIO, J. V. N.; SOARES, G. M.; FERREIRA, D. S.; GAMA, R. A.
VI Encontro Integrado dos Programas de Ensino da UFRN. Natal, RN. EDUFRN. p. 174–177. (Abstract/work in proceedings)
Challenges of the Act of Advising and Being Advised in the Context of Remote Teaching
MEDEIROS, Paulo Ivo Silva de; SILVA, V. S. A. E.; SOARES, G. M.
XVIII Congresso Brasileiro de Ensino Superior a Distância e VII Congresso Internacional de Educação Superior a Distância. Natal, RN. Anais ESUD 2021. p. . (Work in proceedings)
Presentations
- Green Connections: Nature Connectedness of University Students Living in Urban and Rural Areas. 2024.
- From Local Roots to Global Markets: The Evolution of Consumption and the Value of Food Certifications. 2024.
- Between the Plate and the Mirror: How Youth's Search for Beauty Standards Influences the Food Choices of University Women and Men. 2024.
- Greenery in Natural and Simulated Areas Influences the Improvement of Academic Performance. 2019.
- Teaching-learning of Ecological Knowledge in an Urban Fragment of Atlantic Forest. 2019.
- CIENTEC 2018 – La.Na. Mata dos Saguis. 2018.
Media Mentions
- Research investigates how the environment influences eating habits (2024)SOARES, G. M.; LOPES, F. A. — Radio or TV Program / Other
Resume
Event Participation
- XI Conferência e XVI Simpósio de Psicobiologia, UFRN, 2024
- X Conferência e XV Simpósio de Psicobiologia, UFRN, 2023
- Café com Darwin – VII Fórum de Sistemática e Evolução, UFRN, 2024
- Encontro Integrado dos Programas de Ensino da UFRN, 2022
- XVIII Congresso Brasileiro de Ensino Superior a Distância e VII Congresso Internacional de Educação Superior a Distância, 2021
- Encontro de Ecologia Neotropical, 2021
- Semana de Ecologia Urbana – USP, 2021
- VI Conferência & XI Simpósio de Psicobiologia, UFRN, 2019
- CIENTEC UFRN, 2018
Selected Courses
Introdução à Educação Ambiental no Processo de Gestão Socioambiental
Meio Ambiente, Cidadania e Educação Ambiental
Geoprocessamento: Passo a Passo Para Atender às Notificações do CAR
Manejo Florestal Sustentável e Mudança Climática
Events & Courses
Event Participation
- XI Conferência e XVI Simpósio de Psicobiologia, UFRN, 2024
- X Conferência e XV Simpósio de Psicobiologia, UFRN, 2023
- Café com Darwin – VII Fórum de Sistemática e Evolução, UFRN, 2024
- Encontro Integrado dos Programas de Ensino da UFRN, 2022
- XVIII Congresso Brasileiro de Ensino Superior a Distância e VII Congresso Internacional de Educação Superior a Distância, 2021
- Encontro de Ecologia Neotropical, 2021
- Semana de Ecologia Urbana – USP, 2021
- VI Conferência & XI Simpósio de Psicobiologia, UFRN, 2019
- CIENTEC UFRN, 2018
Selected Courses
Introdução à Educação Ambiental no Processo de Gestão Socioambiental
Meio Ambiente, Cidadania e Educação Ambiental
Geoprocessamento: Passo a Passo Para Atender às Notificações do CAR
Manejo Florestal Sustentável e Mudança Climática
Skills & Languages
Skills
Languages
Portuguese
Native
English
Good comprehension and reading; confirm speaking/writing level before publishing
Spanish
Good comprehension and reading; intermediate/reasonable speaking and writing
French
Basic/beginner, with reading and comprehension in development
* Levels subject to review.