Caroline Malagutti Fassina, Ph.D., is an accomplished Brazilian environmental scientist and advisor with over 15 years of experience in ecosystem governance, climate policy, and marine conservation. Currently serving as a Science Advisor in the Santos Municipality’s Innovation Park, she holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the State University of Campinas. Her research spans biodiversity offsets, environmental valuation, and climate justice, with international collaborations in Brazil, Australia, and the UK. Dr. Fassina has led and contributed to numerous funded projects, including BRANDED OCEAN and FISHERVOICES, and published in respected journals such as Ecosystem Services and Marine Policy. She bridges academic research and public policy, organizing environmental education initiatives and advising on sustainable development. Fluent in English and active in global networks like the Ecosystem Services Partnership, she is recognized for amplifying underrepresented voices, particularly fisherwomen, in climate adaptation efforts. Dr. Fassina exemplifies interdisciplinary leadership committed to inclusive and impactful environmental solutions.

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Education

Caroline Malagutti Fassina holds a robust academic background rooted in environmental science and coastal management. She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil, where she explored the complexities of ecosystem service valuation and biodiversity offset policies in Brazil and Australia. Her thesis critically assessed the commodification of nature through international offset mechanisms. Prior to that, she completed her Master’s degree in Integrated Environmental Analysis at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), focusing on marine ecosystems. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s in Coastal Management from Paulista State University, reflecting her early commitment to sustainability in coastal regions. Her education is complemented by international certifications and trainings, including capacity-building with UNESCO and environmental law workshops. This strong academic foundation supports her interdisciplinary approach to marine policy, environmental justice, and urban sustainability, combining both theoretical and applied dimensions of environmental governance.

Professional Experience

Dr. Fassina has held diverse and impactful roles across public service, academia, and international research. She currently serves as Science Advisor and Public Fundraising Coordinator for the Science, Technology and Innovation Park of Santos Municipality. Since 2011, she has worked as an Environmental Officer in various departments within the Santos Environmental Secretariat, including environmental inspection, licensing, and strategic advisory roles. She also served as Group Leader of the Environmental Inspection Division and was a council member for the São Paulo Marine Protected Area. Her postdoctoral work includes the BRANDED OCEAN project under FAPESP, and she is currently involved in the international EXTENDING RESPONSIBILITY initiative. Caroline’s experience reflects a blend of hands-on environmental regulation, urban sustainability planning, and scientific leadership. She also contributes to education through public speaking, mentoring, and organizing community outreach events like the Environmental Film Week. Her career demonstrates a long-term commitment to integrating science with public policy.

Research Interest

Caroline Fassina’s research interests lie at the intersection of environmental policy, ecosystem services, marine governance, and climate justice. She is particularly focused on biodiversity offsets, environmental valuation, and the governance of natural resources in urban and coastal zones. Her Ph.D. work compared offset practices between Brazil and Australia, questioning the commodification of nature in different regulatory contexts. More recently, she has expanded her work to include the cumulative impacts of port infrastructure on marine ecosystems, gendered dimensions of climate adaptation—especially the voices of fisherwomen—and transboundary environmental accountability linked to global trade. She is committed to interdisciplinary approaches, often integrating ecological economics, environmental sociology, and policy analysis. Caroline also explores environmental communication and the role of local governments in addressing global environmental challenges. Her research is both academic and applied, aiming to influence public policy and international frameworks for sustainable development, with a strong emphasis on social inclusion and ecological equity.

Award and Honor

Throughout her career, Dr. Caroline Fassina has received numerous grants and fellowships that reflect the originality and impact of her research. Her early scientific work was supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) during her undergraduate and doctoral studies. In 2019, she was awarded a prestigious internationalization grant from CAPES for her research on biodiversity offsets in Brazil and Australia. She also secured funding from the British Council for the FISHERVOICES project, which amplified the perspectives of fisherwomen in climate policy discussions. In 2023, she received the Young Doctors Nationalization Grant from FAPESP for her BRANDED OCEAN postdoctoral project. Most recently, she began work under a major grant from Brazil’s Science and Technology Ministry to study marine litter and global trade. In addition to research funding, she has been selected as a speaker and participant in influential global programs and conferences, marking her as a recognized leader in environmental research and public engagement.

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