Eric de Camargo Smidt (left)

(http://lattes.cnpq.br/1539716845687200) has a degree in Bachelor of Biological Sciences from the Universidade Estadual Paulista Jú lio de Mesquita Filho (2000), Master (2003) and Ph.D. (2007) from the Universidade de Feira de Santana and post-doctorate from the Institute of Botany of São Paulo (2008). He is currently Professor Adjunto I of the Universidade Federal do Paraná and permanent advisor of the Post-Graduation in Botany from the same university. Has experience in the field of botany with emphasis on Taxonomy of Orchidaceae, acting on the following topics: conservation, phylogeny, taxonomy, biogeography and pollination.

Luciana Lopes Fortes Ribas (above)

(http://lattes.cnpq.br/9283357374616431) has a degree in biology from the Catholic University of Paraná (1985), Master of botany at the Universidade Federal do Paraná (1991) and Ph.D. in Forestry at the Universidade Federal do Paraná (1999). She is currently Professor Associado I of the Federal University of Paraná and permanent advisor of the Post-Graduation in Botany from the same university. Has experience in botany, with emphasis in Plant Physiology, acting on the following topics: micropropagation via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis of forest and fruit trees and ornamental species.

The Federal University of Parana

(www.ufpr.br) is the oldest university in Brazil and symbol of Curitiba city. Surrounded by a history of many conquests, since 1912 the UFPR is a reference in higher education for the state and for Brazil. Hallmark of the culture of Paraná, the University demonstrates its importance and excellence through undergraduate, specialization, master's and doctorate, and their areas of research and extension. The social responsibility of the university as a public institution is also emphasized in their actions to the community of Paraná as well for the country, collaborating with others Post-Graduation in Botany of the Brazil and others countries.

The Post-Graduation in Botany from UFPR (http://botanica.bio.ufpr.br/posgraduacao/) began operations in 1979, when it was created, and was recognized in 1989 by MEC (Ministry of Education). To date, 226 master’s theses were defended.

The course seeks to provide an academic background in various areas of botany, to form professionals able to practice the teaching institutions, as well as to produce scientific knowledge about the various groups of plants, emphasizing diversity, structure and physiology of plant groups, beyond growth regulators in vegetative propagation and biotechnology, both endangered species and those with economic potential. The researchers also subsidize models that contribute to the maintenance and rational use of natural resources in Brazil.

The current lines of research are Taxonomy and Diversity: Taxonomy, biology and diversity of Angiosperms, ferns and lichens; Taxonomy, biology and diversity of algae and Structure and Development Plant Physiology: Anatomy and Ecological applications of plant growth regulators in vegetative propagation and biotechnology.

The focus groups we will emphasize are the Cattleyas species threatened in the 1992 Red List of IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources - http://www.ibama.gov.br), the Neotropical representatives of the genus Bulbophyllum, and species threatened in the Red List locally (Paraná, HATSCHBACH & ZILLER 1995).

HATSCHBACH, G.G. & ZILLER, S.R. 1995. Lista vermelha de plantas ameaçadas de extinção no Estado do Paraná. (Red list of threatened plant species in Parana state, Brazil). Curitiba, SEMA/GTZ. 139 p. 

Orchid photo's top left: Bulbophyllum perii, top right; Gomesa sp