Outreach

Talking about and spreading science has always been a passion for Ramalho Lab, but our daily lives have shown that being engaged in these activities is crucial for a scientist.

Dr. Manu Ramalho is a woman/parent in science, and a myrmecologist who uses ants as a way to engage people with science, and also her lab. Diverse audiences and of all ages have some curiosity about these small insects that occur all over the world in the most diverse colors and shapes. We just need to be creative in how to attract this audience!

Highlighted below are several projects that we had the opportunity to be part of.

Hormigas Neotropicales group made a really cool video sharing my story and interests to advertise the lecture I gave in March 2022! Check out how cool it turned out!

Science on Tap – Bringing Research Beyond the University

My participation in Science on Tap at West Chester University offered a valuable opportunity to share my research with the broader public outside the academic setting. During this event, I presented my work on ant–microbiome interactions in a relaxed, conversational environment designed to make science engaging and accessible to everyone — from students and teachers to families and community members.

By communicating complex biological concepts without scientific jargon, I aimed to spark curiosity and show how microbiome research connects to larger questions about ecology, evolution, and the environment. This experience reinforced my commitment to making science approachable, inclusive, and relatable to diverse audiences — a core goal of my lab’s outreach mission.

Through initiatives like Science on Tap, I strive to bridge the gap between academia and the community, inspiring others to see science not as something distant or exclusive, but as a shared human endeavor that shapes our understanding of the world.

From Ants to Curiosity: STEM Outreach in Brazil (Guaraci)

During the summer of 2025, I led a STEM community outreach initiative in Guaraci, São Paulo, Brazil, reaching more than 500 children from two public schools — Escola Municipal Professora Mércia Rodrigues Maciel and Escola Municipal Antônio Zuquim. These schools serve low-income families, many of whom have parents who did not attend college and work primarily in agriculture. For the vast majority of these students, this was their first time meeting a scientist. Through interactive activities about insects, biodiversity, and the scientific method, they experienced the excitement of scientific discovery and learned how research connects to their daily lives. The children could observe the ants they collected during class, inspiring curiosity and helping them see themselves as future scientists.

34. RAMALHO, M. O.; DECIO, P.; VANICCI, M. S.; GARCIA, E.; JANEI, V. Founder of Mulheres decifrando a Ciência, a coalition for science communication with more than 1K followers on social media. 2020 – current. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mulheresdecifrandoaciencia, Instagram: @Mulheres_decifrando_a_ciencia, Twitter: @mdc_ciencia. Produced 55 articles and posts on Science communication, ranging from general entomology to epidemiology and denying fake news, especially related to COVID-19.

33. Meet new Subject Editors of Myrmecological News! Interview for Myrmecological news Blog. 2021. https://blog.myrmecologicalnews.org/2021/02/18/meet-new-subject-editors-of-myrmecological-news/

32. Science and motherhood with Manuela Ramalho. Podcast interview for Ciência, pra quem? 2021. https://anchor.fm/yasmim-mossioli/episodes/Cincia-e-Maternidade-es5n48/a-a4t4bsn

31. Ant Microbiomes: Researching Microbial Community Functions of Ants with Manuela Ramalho. Podcast interview for Finding Genius. 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axv5wSOsDH8

30. Mulheres Decifrando a Ciência. Rio Claro Facebook group interview (live). 2021. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=109542604390037&ref=watch_permalink

29. Postdoc Spotlight: Manuela Ramalho Interview. Recipient of Postdoc Achievement Award (2020) – Achievement Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Cornell University, USA. Cornell University. 2020. https://gradschool.cornell.edu/spotlights/postdoc-spotlight-manuela-ramalho/

28. Highlight the main points of the paper Lucky et al. 2020” “Myrmecology, Gender, and Geography: changing demographics of a research community over thirty years” Myrmecological news Blog. 2020.

https://blog.myrmecologicalnews.org/2020/09/02/women-in-science-parents-in-science-minorities-in-science-so-what/

29. Parents in Science. Podcast interview BugBites. 2020. https://podcastaddict.com/episode/117191230

26. Zumbis e outras histórias horripilantes (Halloween episode). Podcast interview BugBites. 2020. https://podcastaddict.com/episode/114534447

25. Divulgação científica com @mulheres_decifrando_a_ciencia (Instagram). Interview (online) with CaBio at the Federal University of Roraima. 2020. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEsQ28zl0Bk/?igshid=7hxlzbhpf250

24. Inclusión, biodiversidad y equidad. First Ibero-American Symposium on Myrmecology (live). 2020. (Invited moderator).

23. Majority of females only within the colony: challenges of a woman myrmecologist in the covid-19 era. I Ciclo Mirmecológico Universidade Federal da Paraíba (live), PB, Brazil. 2020. (Invited speaker). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaY2R9u17eQ

22. Pint of Science (live). Challenges of a woman and mother scientist in the COVID-19 era. Araras, SP, Brazil. 2020. (Invited speaker) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8hVVeca0L4

21. Panel of mothers and scientists in the pandemic. Field Museum, Chicago IL, USA. 2020. (Invited speaker).

20.Para microbioma de Daceton armigerum, você não é aquilo que come. A Ciência que nós fazemos. Science communication media interview. Facebook group and Instagram (more than 70K followers). 2020.

https://www.cienciaquenosfazemos.org/post/voc%C3%AA-n%C3%A3o-%C3%A9-aquilo-que-voc%C3%AA-come

19. RAMALHO, M. O. Podcast the Daily Ants. 2020. Science communication. https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9kYWlseWFudC5jb20vZmVlZC8&episode=aHR0cDovL2RhaWx5YW50LmNvbS8_cD0xMDU5OQ&hl=pt-BR&ved=2ahUKEwj69Z2GxaTpAhUWOs0KHa3RDb8QieUEegQICxAI&ep=6

18. “Insectapalooza”. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. 2019 (Volunteer)

17. “Microbiome Hack” mentor. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. 2019 (Volunteer)

16. “Importance of Insects – Especially Ants”. Public Elementary School Zuchim, Guaraci, SP, Brazil. 2019. (Volunteer)

15.RAMALHO, M. O.; PodCast – BugBites 2018. Science communication https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_kkwln8qKU

14. “Meet a Scientist – DNA Lab” public events (2 times), Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA. 2018. (Volunteer)

13. “Meet a Scientist –Importance of Ants” public events (2 times), Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA. 2018. (Volunteer)

12.RAMALHO, M. O.; PEREIRA, M. C.; VIEIRA, A. S.; Carlos, AA; OLIVEIRA, A. A.; Amaral, G; SILVA, T. N.; CAMANOVICI, M. L.; Nogueira, B; ALMEIDA, N; MARCHESIN, T; ROLLON, S.; POIANI, S. B.; Bueno, O.C. First Steps in Science 2017; Theme: The Ants Society. Science communication https://youtu.be/xLth7FT_CSs

11. “First Steps in Science 2017” Public High School to Unesp, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil. 2017.(Volunteer)

10. “Course GAP Junction: Undergraduate to graduate” Unesp, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil. 2016.(Volunteer)

9.VIEIRA, A. S.; RAMALHO, M. O.; BUENO, O. C.; MARCHESIN, T. F. R.; HIRCH, VLS; AMARAL, G; ALMEIDA, N; CARLOS, AA; NOGUEIRA, B; GONÇALVES, JR. First Steps in Science 2016 – The Ants Society: An incredible universe just steps from you! Science communication https://youtu.be/4qXqbDuLeD8

8. “First Steps in Science 2016” Public High School to Unesp, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil. 2016. (Volunteer)

7. “Meet a Scientist” public events (5 times), Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA. 2015-2018. (Volunteer)

6. “Member’s Night” public events (2 times), Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA. 2015.(Volunteer)

5. Solorio Academy High School, insect collections tour, Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA. 2015. (Volunteer)

4.MOREAU, C. S.; RAMALHO, M. O. Romero, E. – Women in Science Field Museum – 2015. Science communication https://youtu.be/VRksGAWC3no

3.SMITH, A.; MOREAU, C. S.; COSTA, F; FISHER, B; ESTEVES, F; LONGINO, J.; KASPARI, M.; WARD, P.; BLANCHARD, B.; NOOTEN, S.; OLSON, T.; RAMALHO, M. O. Ant Course Presents: Why Does Ant Diversity Matter? 2015. Science communication https://youtu.be/lgtZU5xraoI

2. BLANCHARD, B.; MOREAU, C. S.; RAMALHO, M. O.; BOOT, M. Visiting the Ant Lab at the Chicago Field Museum. 2015. Science communication (Interview) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCIG3EwpU5w&t=334s

1. “Importance of Insects – Especially Ants”, insect tour (25 times), Unesp Rio Claro, CEIS. 2007-2017. (Volunteer)

Film Consultant

1.BUENO, O. C.; RAMALHO, M. O. Film Consulting ‘Meninas Formicida’. 2017.

Ramalho Lab

Ramalho Lab

Outreach

Science on Tap – Bringing Research Beyond the University

From Ants to Curiosity: STEM Outreach in Brazil (Guaraci)

There is no age to fall in love with ants and science!

Jump Start program visiting Ant Lab (2024)

Jump Start program visiting Ant Lab (2024)

The little things that run Gordon Natural Area

Women deciphering science - follow us

“Mulheres decifrando a ciência” (in Portuguese) and "Women deciphering science" (in English) on social media! This is a scientific outreach page and we seek to spread science in a wide and accessible way for everyone!

Ramalho Lab

Ramalho Lab

Outreach

Science on Tap – Bringing Research Beyond the University

From Ants to Curiosity: STEM Outreach in Brazil (Guaraci)

There is no age to fall in love with ants and science!

Jump Start program visiting Ant Lab (2024)

Jump Start program visiting Ant Lab (2024)

The little things that run Gordon Natural Area

Women deciphering science - follow us

“Mulheres decifrando a ciência” (in Portuguese) and "Women deciphering science" (in English) on social media! This is a scientific outreach page and we seek to spread science in a wide and accessible way for everyone!

Social

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