Project Leaders
Volunteer with Humpback Whales in Brazil

Clarêncio Baracho - Researcher

Clarêncio Baracho is a graduate in Biology by the Universidade Católica do Salvador (UCSAL) and has since 1996 worked for the research and conservation of marine mammals on the coast of Bahia. Since 2000 he has worked as a researcher at the Humpback Whale Institute in Praia do Forte. He has extensive sailing experience, having participated in several expeditions along the Brazilian coast and recently to the Antarctic region. He is a certified divemaster and also an underwater photographer and cameraman.

Marcos Rossi-Santos - Researcher

Marcos graduated in Biology at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in 1997 and also completed a Masters in Zoology at the Universidade Federal do Paraná in 2006. Since 1994 Marcos has been studying the behaviour of cetaceans and has participated in several scientific expeditions along the Brazilian coast, Amazônia, Galapagos Islands and South Georgia Islands. Between 2002 to 2006 Marcos implemented and coordinated the Estuarine Dolphin Project (Projeto Boto Sotalia)at the Humpback Whale Institute in Caravelas.

Luena Fernandes - Zoologist

Luena graduated in 2003 from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. In 2004 she received a grant to study in Australia for 6 months as part of a post-graduate diploma in Organic Agriculture. In 2005 she became an intern with the Humpback Whale Institute at Praia do Forte and has since been working with the Environmental Education department and in the coordination of the Ecovolunteer Program. Luena has experience in Whalewatching and research cruises, having participated in an expedition for the study of Humpbacks and associated ecosystems along the coast of Brazil, and is a certified Divemaster (PADI).

Sergio Cipolotti - Environmental Education Coordinator

Sergio is the Environmental Education coordinator for the Humpback Whale Institute. He graduated from Universidade Mackenzie, SP, Brazil in 1995 with a degree in biology and has worked in the field of environmental education every since then. He is now responsible for all the Environmental Education at the institute, as well as in the local communities and coordinating the Whalewatching cruises during the whale breeding season. Sergio is also heavily involved in the coordination of Ecovolunteers.

Elitieri Neto - Veterinarian

Veterinary Surgeon graduate by the Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA) in 2007. Started his conservation activities at the TAMAR sea turtle conservation project in 2002, carrying out hematology studies with reptiles and elasmobranches. Came into the Humpback Whale Institute in 2004 as an intern and participated in three consecutive whale seasons developing research and environmental education activities. Is currently part of the research team and is responsible for the rescue and rehabilitation of Humpback Whales on the coast of Bahia.