Dr. Miquel A. Arnedo is full professor at the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences at the Universitat de Barcelona (UB). His research aims at characterizing and understanding the factors that promoted and shaped the diversification of living beings. Most of his research takes advantage of the experimental conditions provided by isolated systems (e.g. islands or caves), which contribute to simplify the intrinsic complexity of Macroevolutionary studies. Additionally, he has conducted research on higher-level phylogenies to investigate evolutionary innovations and clade diversification and has applied molecular approaches for inventorying and monitoring biodiversity at the community level. He has published more than 100 paper in SCI journals. He is currently director of the consolidated (2017SGR73) research group on Zoological Systematics and Evolution (ZooSysEvo, www.zoosysevo.net), a joint research team between the UB and the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, MCNB). In 2009, he was awarded an ICREA Academia award for excellence in research by the Generalitat de Catalunya. He has supervised seven postdoctoral researchers, 12 PhD students and 21 MSc students, and was coordinator of the UB master program in Biodiversity from 2016 to 2022. His relationship with the IRBIo traces back to the very origins of the institute. He was member of the steering committee responsible for creation of the IRBio and served in its executive board from 2008-2015.
His relationship with IRBIo dates back to the very origins of the institute. He was a member of the steering committee responsible for the creation of IRBio and served on its executive board between 2008 and 2015.
His vision for IRBio for the coming years is, as it could not be otherwise, to promote and enhance the research excellence of the institute, but above all to improve coordination and foster collaboration with other academic institutions and social agents with shared interests, both at the local and European levels, and eventually globally. To this end, the following actions are proposed:
- Promote institutional projection ithin the UB and outside, fostering internationalisation by involving IRBio with other biodiversity networks at State, European and International level.
- Guarantee and promote diversity, equity and inclusion among IRBio members.
- Encourage and promote the transfer of knowledge in the public and private spheres, to improve the management and conservation of biodiversity and natural heritage both through public administrations and private entities, but also through non-profit organizations. Additionally, to foster the development of nature-based solutions in public and private activities.
- Involvement and return to society a communication plan and dissemination of results, awareness of current issues related to global change (loss of biodiversity, ecological crisis, habitat destruction, marine acidification, etc.) participation and promotion of citizen science projects.
- Encourage and design new postgraduate and university extension courses specialising in innovative methodologies and techniques in the field of biodiversity research.