Simone Athayde is a Research Integrity Lead working with the Research, Data and Impact Global Team. She works to help foster a culture of research excellence and ensure high quality research across WRI, that contributes to the organization's mission and goals.

Prior to joining WRI, Simone worked as an Associate Professor of Environmental Anthropology at Florida International University (FIU). Her research experience includes inter and trans-disciplinary research, integrative science, integrating Indigenous knowledge systems and science, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and environmental justice, with a special focus in the Amazonian region. She has relevant expertise in research methodology including interdisciplinary, participatory and mixed methods.

Simone holds a B.S. in Biology from Federal University of Paraná (UFPR); a MS in Botany from UFPR; a MS in Ethnobotany from University of Kent in the UK; and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Ecology with concentration in Anthropology from the University of Florida in the US. Her work has been recognized with awards from the Center for Latin American Studies and TCD Programs and from the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) at the University of Florida, from the Ministry of Culture of Brazil, and from the International Society of Ethnobiology.

Simone loves to do Yoga, bike riding, gardening, and outdoor activities in general. She lives in Miami with her husband Gary, her son Adriano, and their dog Jessie.