born in São Paulo, Brazil
currently at Research and Collections at the
Florida Museum of Natural History
1659 Museum Rd., Gainesville, FL, 32611
Academic Appointments
2024–current | Assistant Curator of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History
2022–current | Associate Researcher, Museum of Zoology of University of São Paulo
2022–2024 | Edward Rose Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University
2022–2024 | Visiting Scholar, Simoes-Costa Lab, Harvard Medical School
Education
2015–2022 | PhD, Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University
2011–2013 | Master of Science, Zoology, University of São Paulo
2007–2010 | Bachelor’s degree, Biological Sciences, University of São Paulo
2007–2010 | Bachelor's degree, Science Education, University of São Paulo
Publications
2026 | Del-Rio G, Azambuja AP, Vieceli FM, Rego MA, Shakya SB, Whitney BM, Schunck F, Silveira LF, Gyllenhaal EF, Canton RC, Truong HC, McCarthy CM, Faircloth BC, Brumfield RT, Simões-Costa M. Regulatory evolution and positive selection reshape species boundaries. (in review)
2026 | Del-Rio G, Rego MA, Baumgart SL, Randall ZS, Kratter AW, Keriazes M, Doyle Z, Marcelino RS, Handika H, Truong HC, Schachner ER. Integrating specimens’ internal anatomy with external morphology in modern ornithological collections. (in review)
2026 | Passalacqua LB, de Souza Jr. HG, Del-Rio G, Rego MA, Cunha MS, Corrêa AH, Nihei SS, Graciolli G, Schunck F. New records of louse flies (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) parasitizing birds in Atlantic and Amazon Forests in Brazil. (in review)
2026 | Ballard P, Keriazes MJ, Chen SH, Barve S, Rego MA, Del-Rio G. A case of mosaic gynandromorphism in Eastern Towhee ( Pipilo erythrophthalmus). (accepted)
2026 | Rego MA, Johnson O, Fluck IE, Del-Rio G*, Brumfield RT*. The Influence of Rivers and the Environment on Avian Taxon Composition Across Lowland Amazonia. Journal of Biogeography. 53(3), e70185. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.70185.
2026 | Keriazes M, Ballard P, Rego M, Kratter A, Del-Rio G. Passerine birds in the stomach contents of Chuck-wills-widows (Antrostomus carolinensis) deposited at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Florida Field Naturalist. 54(1), p. 12-16.
2025 | Rego MA, Brumfield R, Del-Rio G. Avian Suture Zones in Pan Amazonia. Ornithology.143(1), p.1-19.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukaf053
2025 | Schunck F, Peres Dios RV, Silveira LF, Lima GR, Rego MA, Del-Rio G. Insect richness in the stomach of a Nacunda Nighthawk (Chordeiles nacunda). Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 137(4), p. 639-646. https://doi.org/10.1080/15594491.2025.2534764
2024 | Rego MA, Del-Rio G, Brumfield RT. 2024. Subspecies-level distribution maps for birds of the Amazon basin and adjacent areas. Journal of Biogeography. 51(1), p.14-28. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14718.
2024 | Capurucho JMG, Musher LJ, Lees A, Rego MA, Del-Rio G, Aleixo A, Luzuriaga-Aveiga VE, Ferreira M, Ribas CC, Thom G. Amazonian avian biogeography: Broadscale patterns, microevolutionary processes, and habitat-specific models revealed by multidisciplinary approaches. Ornithology. 141(1), ukad051. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukad051.
2023 | Musher LJ, Del-Rio G, Marcondes RS, Brumfield RT, Bravo GA, Thom G. Geogenomic Predictors of Gene tree Heterogeneity Explain Phylogeographic and Introgression History: A Case Study in an Amazonian Bird (Thamnophilus aethiops). Systematic Biology. syad061. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syad061.
2022 | Del-Rio G, Rego MA, Whitney BM, Schunck F, Silveira LF, Faircloth BC, Brumfield RT. Displaced clines in an avian hybrid zone (Thamnophilidae: Rhegmatorhina) within an Amazonian interfluve. Evolution. 76(3), p. 455-475
2022 | Musher LJ, Giakoumis M, Albert J, Del-Rio G, Rego M, Thom G, Aleixo A, Ribas C, Brumfield RT, Smith BT, Cracraft J. River network rearrangements promote speciation in lowland Amazonian birds. Science Advances. 8(14) doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abn1099.
2021 | Del-Rio G, Mutchler MJ, Costa B, Hiller AE, Lima G, Matinata B, Salter JF, Silveira LF, Rego MA, Schmitt D. Birds of the Juruá River: extensive várzea forest as a barrier to terra firme birds. Journal of Ornithology. 162, p. 565–577
2021 | Slobodian V, Soares KDA, Falaschi RL, Prado LR, Camelier P, Guedes TB, Leal LC, Hsiou AS, Del-Rio G, Costa ER, Pereira KRC, D’Angiolella ABD, Sousa AS, Diele-Viegas LM. Why we shouldn’t blame women for gender disparity in academia: perspectives of women in zoology. Zoologia. 38, p. 1-9
2020 | Feng S, Stiller J, […], Del-Rio G et al. Dense sampling of bird diversity increases power of comparative genomics. Nature. 587, p. 252-257
2017 | Del-Rio G, Rego MA, Silveira LF, Itoh A. Plant Invasion: another threat to the São Paulo Marsh Antwren (Formicivora paludicola), a species on the verge of extinction. PloSOne. 12(12), p. e0189465
2017 | Tonnetti V, Bocalini F, Silveira LF, Del-Rio G. Taxonomy and systematics of the Yellow-green Grosbeak Caryothraustes canadensis (Passeriformes: Cardinalidae). Brazilian Journal of Ornithology. 25(3), p. 176-189
2017 | Del-Rio G. Wildlife Conservation Society Birds of Brazil the Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil, including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (book review). Journal of Field Ornithology. 88(1), p. 94- 95
2017 | Costa TVV, Piacentini VQ, Oliveira DMM, Schunck F, Whitney BM, Rego MA, Rubio TC, Oliveira F, Freitas B, Del-Rio G, Seeholzer GF, Harvey MG, Terrill RS, Correa AG, Arantes F, Silveira LF. New records of the enigmatic Clytoctantes atrogularis (Thamnophilidae) in Amazonian Brazil, with remarks on plumage, natural history, and distribution. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 129(1), p. 1-12
2016 | Del-Rio G, Silveira LF. Remarks on the Natural History of São Paulo Marsh Antwren (Formicivora paludicola). Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 128 (2), p. 445-448
2015 | Del-Rio G, Rego MA, Silveira LF. A multiscale approach indicates a severe reduction in Atlantic Forest wetlands and highlights that São Paulo Marsh Antwren is on the brink of extinction. PloSOne. 10, p. e0121315
2015 | De Camargo C, Gibbs HL, Costa MC, Del-Rio G, Silveira LF, Wasko AP, Francisco MR. Marshes as mountain tops: genetic analyses of the Critically Endangered São Paulo Marsh Antwren (Aves: Thamnophilidae). PloSOne.10(10), p. e0140145
2015 | De Camargo C, Costa MC, Del-Rio G, Gibbs HL, Glenn TC, Bagal U, Silveira LF, Wasko AP, Francisco MR. Novel and cross-amplified microsatellite loci for the critically endangered São Paulo Marsh Antwren Formicivora paludicola (Aves: Thamnophilidae). Conservation Genetics Resource. 7, p. 129
2015 | Cavarzere V, Del-Rio G, Schunck F, Piacentini VQ, Rego MA, Somenzari M, Silveira LF. Wintering Sporophila seedeaters in an Amazonian Cerrado ecotone in central Brazil. Cotinga. 37, p. 57
2014 | Rego MA, Del-Rio G, Silveira LF. A taxonomic review of Picumnus exilis (Aves: Picidae) reveals an underestimation of Piculet species diversity in South America. Journal of Ornithology. 155, p. 853-867
2014 | Marcondes RS, Del-Rio G, Rego MA, Silveira LF.Geographic and seasonal distribution of a little known Brazilian endemic rail inferred from occurrence records and ecological niche modeling. Wilson Journal of Ornithology.126, p. 663-672
2013 | Del-Rio G, Silveira LF, Cavarzere V, Rego MA. A taxonomic review of the Golden-green Woodpecker, Piculus chrysochloros (Aves: Picidae) reveals the existence of six valid taxa. Zootaxa. 3626, p. 531-542
Honors and Awards
2026 | UF Research Opportunity Seed Fund, University of Florida
2025 | Batchelor Foundation Grant
2024 | American Ornithological Society, Kessel Early Career Professional Fellowship
2024 | UF Research Opportunity Seed Fund, University of Florida
2024 | UF Biodiversity Institute, Seed Grant, University of Florida
2023 | American Ornithological Society James G. Cooper Early Professional Award
2022 | Edward W. Rose Postdoctoral Fellowship
2021 | SEC Emerging Scholar Program
2021 | Wilson Ornithological Society, Jed Burtt Undergraduate Mentoring Grant
2020 | American Ornithological Society Award best oral presentation
2019 | Wilson Ornithological Society Graduate Student Research Award
2019 | LSU T. Vinton Holmes Ornithology Award
2019 | American Ornithological Society Travel Award
2018 | LSU Museum of Natural Science Outstanding Graduate Student
2018 | Society of Systematic Biologists Graduate Student Research Award
2018 | Brazilian Ornithology Meeting best oral presentation
2018 | Sir Charles Blois Explorer Award by the Scientific Exploration Society
2018 | American Museum of Natural History Chapman Memorial Fund Grant
2016 | American Association of University Women, International Student Fellowship
2016 | LSU Alumni Association International Student Scholarship
2015 | Science Without Borders Fellowship PhD
2014 | Cooper Ornithological Society Mewaldt-King Student Research Award
2012 | São Paulo Research Foundation Fellowship (FAPESP) master’s degree
2012 | Brazilian Ornithology Meeting best oral presentation graduate student
2011 | Brazilian Ornithology Meeting best oral presentation undergraduate student
2009 | São Paulo Research Foundation Fellowship (FAPESP) undergraduate research
Field Work
2023 | Cornell Lab of Ornithology Collecting Expedition, Manicoré, Amazonas, Brazil 30 days – expedition leader
2019 | LSU Emilie Snethlage Women Expedition, Amazonas, Brazil 35 days – expedition leader
2018 | LSU Collecting Expedition, Manicoré, Amazonas, Brazil 40 days
2017 | LSU Collecting Expedition, Apuí, Amazonas, Brazil 22 days – expedition leader
2016 | LSU Collecting Expedition, Colniza, Mato Grosso, Brazil 40 days – expedition leader
2015 | INPA Bird banding workshop, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil 7 days
2014 | MZUSP Bird banding, monitoring and collecting, Abunã, Rondônia, Brazil 30 days
2014 | Bird monitoring, São Simão, Goiás, Brazil 20 days
2014 | MZUSP Collecting Expedition, Santana do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil 30 days – expedition leader
2013 | LSU Collecting Expedition, Sucunduri, Amazonas, Brazil 30 days
2012 | MZUSP Collecting Expedition, Campos do Jordão, São Paulo, Brazil 10 days
2012 | MZUSP Bird banding, monitoring and collecting, Abunã, Rondônia, Brazil 30 days
2012 | LSU Collecting Expedition, Sucunduri, Amazonas, Brazil 30 days
2012 | Bird monitoring “Ecology of Formicivora paludicola project” ~260 days – expedition leader
2011 | Bird monitoring and banding, Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil 15 days
2011 | MZUSP Bird banding, monitoring and collecting, Abunã, Rondônia, Brazil 30 days
2011 | Fauna Forever banding workshop, Puerto Maldonado, Peru 15 days
2010 | MZUSP Collecting Expedition, Matina, Bahia, Brazil 20 days
2010 | Field volunteer at project “Breeding Biology of Lear’s Macaw”, Bahia, Brazil 30 days
2010 | MZUSP Bird banding, monitoring and collecting, Abunã, Rondônia, Brazil 30 days
2010 | MZUSP Collecting Expedition, Santana do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil 30 days
2009 | MZUSP Collecting Expedition, Santana do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil 30 days
Teaching Experience
2026 | Main instructor, Avian Biology, University of Florida
2025 | Main instructor, Bird Specimen Preparation, University of Florida
2025 | Main instructor, Systematics and Phylogenetics seminar, University of Florida
2025 | Main instructor, Avian Biology, University of Florida
2025 | Invited lecturer, Vertebrate Anatomy, University of Florida
2024 | Invited lecturer, Avian Biology, University of Florida
2022 | Invited lecturer, Ornithology, Cornell University
2019–2022 | Teaching assistantship, Biology Laboratory for Science Majors, Louisiana State University
2019–2019 | Invited lecturer, Evolution, Louisiana State University
2018–2018 | Invited lecturer at Genomics workshop, Brazilian Ornithology Meeting
2015–2015 | Invited lecturer, Genetics, Louisiana State University
2015–2016 | Teaching assistantship, Genetics, Louisiana State University
2015–2015 | Invited instructor, IV INPA Bird Banding Workshop
2014–2015 | Teaching assistantship, R Language for Statistics, University of São Paulo
2014–2014 | Invited lecturer, Ornithology, University of São Paulo
2013–2014 | Teaching assistantship, Ornithology, University of São Paulo
Laboratory, Computational and Curatorial Experience
2023–current | Expansion of anatomical potential of bird specimens through photogrammetry and CT scanning
2022–current | Cell cultures, cell imaging, DNA cloning, enhancer reporter assays
2012–current | Bioinformatics: R, Python, Linux (BWA, SAMtools, GATK, Plink, Phyluce, STACKS, BRAKER, MAKER, SPADES)
2019–2022 | Curatorial assistantship at LSU Museum of Natural Science Genetic resources collection
2015–current | Preparation of genomic libraries whole-genome resequencing, UCEs, RADseq
2015–current | Preparation of bird scientific specimens taxidermized ~650 birds
2009–2014 | Curatorial assistantship at Museum of Zoology of University of São Paulo Bird and genetic resources collections
Mentoring Experience
2026–current | Enrico Lopes Breviglieri – PhD Biology, University of Florida
Mitonuclear incompatibilities in Amazonian birds
2025–current | Huy Truong – PhD Biology, University of Florida
Recombination landscapes in avian hybrid zones
2025–2026 | Zully Doyle – B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
Photogrammetry of bird anatomical specimens
2024–2026 | Enrico Lopes Breviglieri – M.Sc. Zoology Universidade Estadual Paulista
Systematics and genomic architecture of the complex Piculus flavigula
2024–2026 | Amelia Keriazes – B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
Artificial intelligence for the description of phenotypic clines in avian hybrid zones
2024–2026 | Preston Bertka-Ballard – B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
Artificial intelligence for the description of phenotypic clines in avian hybrid zones
2024–2025 | Sophia Chen – B.S. Biology, University of Florida
Best methods for building reference genomes for birds
2024–2026 | Katherine Titsworth – B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
2024–2026 | Jackson Martin – B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
2024–2026 | Jake Arango – B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
2022–2025 | Huy Truong – B.S. Biological Sciences at Cornell University
Systematics and taxonomy of Vireolanius leucotis
Presented at 2023 American Ornithological Society Meeting – honorable mention AOS student awards
Presented at 2024 Evolution MeetingCornell University Honors Thesis. Accepted
2022-current | Ryan Zucker – B.S. Biological Sciences at Cornell University
Vocal variation and phylogenetic relationships in the genus Rhegmatorhina
Presented at 2023 American Ornithological Society Meeting
2019–2021 | Marquette Mutchler – B.S. Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University
Vocal variation and phylogeography of Myrmoborus myotherinus
Presented at 2023 American Ornithological Society Meeting
2017–2019 | Ashley Schoonmaker – B.S. Computer Science and B.S. Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University Plumage variation and phylogenetics of the genus Myrmoborus
2017–2018 | Layse Albuquerque and Daniele Mariz – Visiting students at Louisiana State University
Ultraconserved elements for the study of population genetics in caatinga birds
Reviewer
NSF DEB panels, Nature Communications, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Systematic Biology, Evolution, Journal of Heredity, Ornithology, Wilson Journal of Ornithology, Journal of Field Ornithology, Brazilian Journal of Ornithology, Tropical Conservation Science, Check List the journal of biodiversity data, Bird Conservation International, Biota Neotropical
Conferences and Presentations
2026 | Society for the Study of Evolution Meeting oral presentation
2025 | Pennsylvania State University, GWIS Empowering meeting plenary Speaker
2024 | Florida Ornithological Society Meeting
2023 | American Ornithological Society Meeting plenary Speaker
2021 | Congresso Latino Americano de Evolución oral presentation (symposium)
2021 | American Ornithological Society oral presentation (symposium)
2021 | Brazilian Ornithological Meeting invited keynote speaker
2021 | Society for the Study of Evolution Meeting
2020 | North American Ornithological Conference oral presentation (best presentation award)
2019 | American Ornithological Society Meeting oral presentation
2018 | 25th Brazilian Ornithological Congress oral presentation (best presentation award)
2015 | 10th Neotropical Ornithological Congress oral presentation
2015 | Society for the Study of Evolution Meeting
2014 | 21st Brazilian Ornithological Congress oral presentation
2012 | 19th Brazilian Ornithological Congress oral presentation (best presentation award)
2011 | 18th Brazilian Ornithological Congress oral presentation (best presentation award)
2011 | 9th Neotropical Ornithological Congress oral presentation
2010 | 25th International Ornithological Congress
2009 | 17th Brazilian Ornithological Congress
Outreach and Seminars
2026 | University of Wyoming, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Seminars invited Speaker
2026 | University of Tennessee Knoxville, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Seminars invited Speaker
2025 | University of South Florida, Integrative Biology invited Speaker
2025 | Pennsylvania State University, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Seminars invited Speaker
2025 | University of Florida Bird Observatory, recurring banding with the public at several localities
2024 | University of Florida, Museums in the park, Florida Museum of Natural History, Invited Speaker
2024 | University of Florida, Birding Club, Grebe, Invited Speaker
2024 | Florida Museum of Natural History, Family Discovery Camp
2024 | Florida Museum of Natural History, Water Shapes Florida Exhibit
2024 | University of Florida, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Seminar Series
2023 | Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Simões-Costa lab seminar
2022 | American Museum of Natural History Seminar Series
2022 | SUNY Cortland, NSF LSAMP Seminar Series
2022 | Cornell University, Ornithology Seminar Series
2021 | LSU College of Science, Science and Spirits event, showcase museum activities for donors
2021 | West Chester Bird Club, talk about the Emilie Snethlage Expedition
2021 | Avistar Brazil, Women in Science and a tribute to Emilie Snethlage round table
2021 | Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, talk about the Emilie Snethlage Expedition
2021 | UFBA Symposium of Neotropical Zoology
2020 | Federal University of Pernambuco, talk at Seminar Series, the Rhegmatorhina hybrid zone
2020 | Federal University of Ceará, talk at Seminar Series, the Rhegmatorhina hybrid zone
2019 | LSU Museum of Natural Science Night at the Museum
2019 | LSU Museum of Natural Science Girls in STEM event
2019 | Avistar Brazil, talk about Emilie Snethlage Expedition
2018 | LSU Museum of Natural Science 6th graders and Science
2018 | LSU Museum of Natural Science Night at the Museum
2017 | LSU Museum of Natural Science Special Saturday
2016 | LSU Museum of Natural Science Special Saturday
2015 | LSU Geaux Science, event to get undergraduate students interested in Science Majors
2015 | Butanta Bird Observatory, talk about the Woodpeckers family
2015 | Avistar Manaus, talk about predictive morphology in birds
2014 | Avistar Brazil, talk about the São Paulo Marsh Antwren
2013 | Avistar Brazil, talk about the Puffbirds family
2012 | Museum of Zoology of University of São Paulo, talk at Seminar Series, Urban Birds
2012 | Avistar Brazil, talk about the Woodpeckers family
2010 | Organization of the Biological Sciences Meeting, University of São Paulo
Memberships
2024–current | Genetics Society of America
2017–current | American Ornithological Society
2018–2019 | Society of Scientific Exploration
2016–2021 | Society of Systematic Biologists
2015–2022 | Society for the Study of Evolution
2015–2019 | American Genetic Association
2015–2018 | American Association of University Women
2014–2021 | Wilson Ornithological Society
2010–2023 | Brazilian Ornithological Society
Workshops
2025 | Telling our story, University of Florida
2024 | The new manager, University of Florida
2022 | IACUC Introduction to the Care and Use of Animals for Research, Teaching, and Testing
2022 | Cornell University, It Depends on the Lens: implicit bias in faculty search committees
2021 | Interactive High Performance Computers via the web, Louisiana State University
2021 | SEC Emerging Scholars Program
2020 | High Performance Computers II, Louisiana State University
2018 | High Performance Computers, Louisiana State University
2019 | SLIM workshop, population genetics simulation, Cornell University
2015 | Bird banding, molting and ageing, INPA
2013 | Ecological Niche Modeling, IPE, Institute of Ecological Research
2012 | R language and computation for Biologists, University of São Paulo
2011 | Bird banding, molting and ageing, CORBID
2011 | Bird survival and breeding success in the field, Brazilian Ornithological Society
2010 | Bioacoustics for Ornithology, Brazilian Ornithological Society