Professor Yasmine Antonine, from the Biodiversity Evolution and Environment Department (Debio) in University Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), represented the Institution in 61st Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC), held between June 29 and July 4, 2025 in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. As part of the thematic symposium on biodiversity conservation in tropical mountainous areas, the professor presented a lecture with the results of research developed in the Espinhaço Mountain Range.
Entitled “Often forgotten, no less important: Coleoptera and Diptera as pollinators in tropical mountain ecosystems,” the presentation featured data from the project “Mountain Tops,” funded by the Minas Gerais Research Foundation (Fapemig) and the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (Funbio). The research aims to understand the interactions between plants and pollinators in high-altitude ecosystems, with a focus on groups that are still underrecognized in Brazil, such as Coleoptera (beetles) and Diptera (flies). The project also included the participation of master’s students and undergraduate research fellows.
According to Yasmine, it is highly rewarding to take part in such a significant event, see former colleagues, exchange ideas, build new connections, and learn about the latest research developments. She emphasizes that, even as a professor, she continues to learn every day, and opportunities like this are essential.
Held annually, the ATBC Meeting is one of the leading international events focused on tropical biology and environmental conservation. In 2025, the event was themed “Tropical Biology and Conservation for a Sustainable World: Bridging Diverse Approaches, Actors, and Local Knowledge,” bringing together researchers from different parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Colombia, and Mexico. In addition to scientific symposia, the program included workshops, poster sessions, field activities, and opportunities for cultural exchange, highlighting the fundamental role of tropical regions in shaping the future of the planet.
