Ane Alencar is IPAM’s Director of Science. She holds a degree in Geography from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), a Masters in Environmental Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System from the University of Boston, and a Ph.D. in Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida. Her primary research topic has been to understand the impacts of climate change and forest fragmentation caused by deforestation on the occurrence and increase of forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon. In addition, Dr. Alencar has coordinated IPAM initiatives to develop systems to monitor forest carbon stock and loss and monitor deforestation to support the development of REDD projects. Her research involves developing land use scenarios as a tool to support public policy discussions that encourage the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.