Dr. Karina Ferreira Chueng is a Brazilian geoscientist specializing in paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic reconstruction, with a strong focus on the use of silica biomineralizations, phytoliths, and carbon isotopes to study Quaternary environmental changes. She earned her Doctorate and Master’s degree in Earth and Ocean Sciences from the Federal Fluminense University and her Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Dr. Chueng’s research has significantly contributed to understanding the geomorphological and climatic evolution of Brazil’s Serra do Espinhaço mountain range and coastal plains. She has authored several peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as the Journal of South American Earth Sciences and Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física, and co-authored multiple book chapters on phytolith analysis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Her collaborative projects span national and international research groups, including partnerships with the University of Exeter (UK) and UC Berkeley (USA). Dr. Chueng has participated in the POLARQ and NEPALEO research groups, focusing on archaeological palynology and paleobiogeoclimatic studies. Her academic service includes organizing scientific events, reviewing for journals, and mentoring undergraduate and doctoral students. Recognized for her scientific excellence, she received the Doutora Fátima Luz Award and was a finalist for the Professor Margarida Penteado Award for Young Geomorphologists (2018). Fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, Dr. Chueng continues to advance interdisciplinary research linking geology, archaeology, and environmental science.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Machado, D. O. B. F., Chueng, K. F., Coe, H. H. G., Silva, A. C., & Costa, C. R. (2021). Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the headwaters of the Preto River, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, through siliceous bioindicators. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 110, 103349.

Salgado, E. T., Mizusaki, A. M. P., Chueng, K. F., Coe, H. H. G., Evaldt, A. C. P., & Bauermann, S. G. (2021). Holocene palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstruction of a native ecosystem on the coastal plain of southern Brazil through multi-proxy analysis. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 106, 103067.

Chueng, K. F., Coe, H. H. G., Augustin, C. H. R. R., Macario, K. D., Ricardo, S. D. F., & Vasconcelos, A. M. C. (2019). Landscape paleodynamics in siliciclastic domains with the use of phytoliths, sponge spicules and carbon isotopes: The case of southern Espinhaço Mountain Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 95, 102232.

Chueng, K. F., Coe, H. H. G., Fagundes, M., Vasconcelos, A. M. C., & Ricardo, S. D. F. (2018). Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the archaeological area of Serra Negra, east face of the southern Espinhaço (Minas Gerais), through phytolith analysis. Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física, 11(7), 2260–2275.

Coe, H. H. G., Macario, K. D., Gomes, J. G., Oliveira, F. M., Chueng, K. F., Gomes, P. R. S., Carvalho, C., Linares, R., Alves, E. Q., & Santos, G. M. (2014). Understanding Holocene variations in the vegetation of São João River Basin, southeastern coast of Brazil, using phytolith and carbon isotopic analyses. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 403, 59–68.

Augustin, C. H. R., Coe, H. H. G., Chueng, K. F., & Gomes, J. G. (2014). Analysis of geomorphic dynamics in ancient quartzite landscape using phytolith and carbon isotopes, Espinhaço Mountain Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Géomorphologie: Relief, Processus, Environnement, 20(4), 355–376.

Coe, H. H. G., Gomes, J. G., & Chueng, K. F. (2013). Reconstitutions of vegetation examples and inferences of paleoclimates in the Rio de Janeiro State through silica biomineralizations (phytoliths) and carbon isotopes. Revista Tamoios, 9(1), 1–21.