Staff directory

His research is focused on vulnerable species and habitats, global change impacts on marine ecosystems, and the role of MPAs as sentinel sites and laboratories to better understand responses and recovery processes

PhD title: 'Theoretical and applied issues of aquatic biodiversity at Greek Islands"
My research interests are on: a) Ecology, Phylogeny, Biogeography and Taxonomy of aquatic macroinvertebrates, primarily caddisflies (Trichoptera), damselflies/dragonflies (Odonata) and stoneflies (Plecoptera), b) Bioassessment of Mediterranean Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams (IRES) & c) Conservation and Protection of endangered freshwater benthic macroinvertebrate species (with emphasis on endemic species) and Conservation and Protection of Freshwater and Wetlands Ecosystems.

With a deep-rooted passion for environmental science and a solid background in systematic conservation planning, my professional journey thus far has focused on the application of optimization algorithms to various contexts, aiming to enhance conservation efforts and inform decision-making. I am working on DRYvER project, prioritizing areas for drying river network conservation in the face of global change.

My research focuses on patterns of diversity in peatland communities at different scales. I generally work with vascular plants, bryophytes and microeukaryotes (metabarcoding) and I like to incorporate a perspective of phylogenetic and functional diversity in my studies.

Study of the structure and dynamics of the benthic communities, mainly in the aspects related to the ecology of populations, conservation and global change responses. Since the beginning of his scientific career, he has been linked to long-term biological monitoring in Marine Reserves such as the Medas Islands, the National Park of Port-cros and the Columbretes Islands, among others

Taxonomy of fungi, especially Russulales (Basidiomycetes). Research project Flora Micológica Ibérica, of the Jardín Botánico de Madrid (CSIC).

I reconstruct the distant past of major evolutionary events using genome-scale data. I am integrating evidence from disparate sources to infer the animal phylogeny and develop a timescale to date their origin and processes such as the colonisation of land

The objective of my thesis is to determine the spatial and temporal effects of dam decommissioning on the net carbon dioxide and methane fluxes, and the remobilization of sedimentary organic carbon (OC) in a water reservoir.
Supervisor: Biel Obrador

We have three main research lines: (1) assessing the effects of water quality on fishes and insect vectors of diseases (mosquitoes); (2) improving water quality using vegetation and filter-feeding organisms as Nature-Based Solutions; and 3) studies on any aspect related to the aquarium hobby, including the release of exotic species and the development of captive-breeding programs

"The appearance of new molecular entities within an organism, such as the origin of new genes can often occur in a sudden manner. This generates novel interactions between these new molecular entities and the cellular environment of the organism in which they are originated, in what we could call “unexpected molecular encounters”. Although these unexpected initial interactions are probably an essential aspect of biological evolution, so far they have received little attention, as we cannot catch in the exact moment in which they have just originated.
To overcome this, in the lab we generate unexpected encounters artificially, by putting in contact molecular structures that had never interacted before. In particular, we express lineage-specific transcription factors and genes derived from transposable elements in the completely foreign cellular environment of heterologous species. This way we can observe the very first moments in which the encounter occurs, before these naïve interactions disappear or change in evolution."

Working with steppe and raptor birds in agricultural and forestal habitats.

My job is focused on the ecology and marine conservation of coastal benthic communities. I am currently working on the effects of marine heat waves on Mediterranean benthic species, specifically red coral, combining long-term environmental and ecological data sets. Since 2018, I have also been part of the marine monitoring team of the Montgrí, the Medes Islands and the Baix Ter Natural Park and the Cap de Creus Natural Park.

Her thesis focuses on the emergent nesting of two sea turtle species in the western Mediterranean: the loggerhead turtle and the green turtle.

The first step of the thesis has been the exploration of non-invasive methodologies to be able to obtain biological samples from which to extract quality DNA. On the other hand, in the thesis, a genomic monitoring of the nests is carried out in order to be able to know the origin of the breeding individuals, to evaluate the genetic viability of the potential population, as well as to be able to reconstruct its pedigree.

In addition, he is also interested in determining the impact of the original population on the ecological strategies of the new population, combining genomic data with stable isotopes and satellite telemetry techniques.