Paulo Branco

Paulo Branco is a biologist (FCUL, 2005), with a Doctorate in Forest Eng & Nat Res (ISA ULisboa, 2013). He leads an innovative and very active research line on river network connectivity at Forest Research Centre, with several collaborating researchers and students. Paulo has developed work in fish ecology, river connectivity, ecohydraulics, fishways, habitat suitability modelling, fish historical records, animal behaviour, fish physiology and animal experimentation. Paulo is the CEO of the Associate Laboratory TERRA (FCT, 1.1MEUR) that aggregates 400+ PhDs from different research centres in Portugal. OUTPUTS & DISSEMINATION: 51 articles (37 in the last 5 years), 47 (92%) in Q1 or Q2 Journals, 27 (52%) in top 10%, 19 (37%) in top 3% and 3 (6%) in top 1% journals (Scimago), 1 highly cited article (WoS), and 3 in the top 5% of Almetric outreach score, with a cumulative IF of 255, average IF 5/article, 21% as first, 19% as last and 21% as corresponding author (Wos); and 30 conf. proceedings. Paulo has co-developed a free database for historical diadromous fish records, spanning one millennium of data, and a free software to deal with river network summarizations (RivTool – downloaded in 70+ countries). 106 oral presentations, of which 11 by invitation, and 30 posters. TEACHING: Invited teacher at ISA-ULisboa for the last 8 years on 6 different BSc, 1 MSc and 1 PhD, teaching Ecology, Animal Biology, Zoology, Population Dynamics, River and Blue-green connectivity. Invited teacher at the International Master in Applied Ecology, since 2020, at the University of Coimbra. COLLABORATIONS: Participation in several national and international projects establishing a research network, collaborating with over 300 researchers in all continents. ORGANIZATION OF SCIENTIFIC EVENTS: Paulo was involved in organizing scientific conferences (2 international conferences), specialized sessions (2 in international conferences), taking part in scientific boards (3 of international conferences), workshops and laboratory open days for the general public. REVIEWER/EDITOR: Active reviewer of scientific publications, contributing as a reviewer for 40 international journals. He co-edited a special issue for Water journal on the effects of multiple stressor on aquatic systems, and is co-editor of 2 special issues, 1 on river connectivity for IJERPH, where he is Topic Editor, and 1 on nature-based solutions for Hydrobiology, where he is part of the editorial board. FUNDING: Applied, and was successfully awarded, for project funding, national and international, both as PI and as partner. Currently PI of Dammed Fish (FCT, 244KEUR), funded under a very competitive call (6% success rate), and leading tasks in MERLIN (H2020, 22MEUR) and AQUADAPT (LaCaixa-FCT, 300KEUR). And led an 11 partners (9 countries) consortium on and Biodiversa proposal. SUPERVISION: 10 BSc, 4 MSc and 4 PhD. Took part at juries and thesis committees from different degree levels in Portugal and abroad (14 BSc, 9 MSc and 3 PhD). Hosted two scientific stays. FACILITIES: Planning and installation of an experimental mesocosm system, at the campus of ISA, and has been involved in the recovery and operation of a large scale ecohydraulic flume (50 m3 water) at the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering. RECOGNITION: Member of the Scientific council of the Forest Research Centre. Part of the CEF-Outreach strategy group. Publicly nominated, member, as a freshwater specialist, of the Observatory Board for the management of the oldest national planted forest in Portugal – XIII century (Observatório Local do Pinhal do Rei). Member of the Ecosystems and Water Quality Committee of the Portuguese Association of Water Resources. Recently invited to lead a regional group of Early Careers on Ecohydraulics Network supported by IAHR. Awarded in 2020 and 2021, with Honourable Mentions at the University of Lisbon Scientific Prizes due to his outstanding publication record.