Matheus is a plant taxonomist specialized in the systematics and evolution of the cacao family (Malvaceae), while Matheus actively tries to bridge the gap between taxonomy, wild crop genomics, and biodiversity informatics. Specifically, Matheus's main research topics are (1) systematics and evolution of cacao and the Malvaceae; (2) crop genomics and geographic history of wild crop relatives from Brazil; and (3) biodiversity informatics, data repositories, and the synthesis of biogeographical patterns.