Beyond her research, Larissa actively contributes to environmental education efforts through her participation in the environmental education team of her laboratory. She designs games and engaging activities that promote conservation and marine ecosystems in public spaces and schools, including those in the local communities of Sepetiba and Ilha Grande Bays. She also shares educational content on marine life and conservation through her laboratory’s Instagram account. Larissa’s dedication to marine conservation is exemplified by her involvement in projects that aim to analyze the interactions between Guiana dolphins and traditional fishing, as well as her participation in the rescue and rehabilitation of marine fauna at Instituto Biopesca (Biopesca Institute).
Larissa’s scientific contributions include conference papers focusing on the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas, the knowledge of high school students about marine ecosystems and conservation, and the evaluation of marine protected areas towards endangered cetaceans. She has actively participated in conferences and events related to marine biology and bioacoustics, gaining valuable knowledge and insights from experts in the field. Her remarkable work and commitment have been recognized through the Luísa Award, which honors undergraduate students who make notable contributions to biodiversity conservation.

Driven by her childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist, Larissa is passionate about fighting for the protection of marine life and habitats. She aspires to contribute to the field of acoustics for conservation, particularly in Brazilian coastal areas where data and research are lacking. Larissa views participation in the Darwin 200 project as an opportunity to enhance her knowledge in conservation through interaction with other participants and Darwin Leaders. She hopes to learn from their experiences, innovative approaches, and different perspectives. In return, she is eager to share her experiences, knowledge, and resources with other participants, including equipment, audio data analysis software, and insights into projects being developed in Rio de Janeiro.

Larissa’s vision for the future involves continuing her studies in acoustics for conservation and addressing the gaps and deficiencies in data within the field, especially in Brazilian coastal areas. She aims to contribute to the development of effective conservation plans and measures, providing valuable data for Marine Protected Areas and fostering the implementation of new conservation initiatives. Larissa’s determination to make a positive impact and her dedication to sharing knowledge and experiences make her an invaluable asset to the Darwin 200 project and the broader conservation community.