Staff directory

I am an evolutionary biologist interested in understanding the ecological processes that produce and modulate phenotypic and species diversity. I study these processes in four general realms: (1) the evolution in insular systems, (2) the causes of global radiations, (3) the adaptation to climate and climate change and (4) the evolutionary consequences of innovations. I approach my research from a broad perspective, working at the interface between molecular phylogenetics, functional morphology, GIS analyses and statistical modeling.

Biological and ecological studies of large marine vertebrates (Chondrichthyes, chelonian, cetacean and pinniped) focused on management and conservation of populations.

Taxonomy and ecology of Lichens and Micromycetes, and their applications as bio-indicators. Biodeterioration of stone monuments applied to the protection of cultural heritage.

Marine phycology (macroalgae). Florisitic and phytosociological studies of population or phytobenthic communities of the Mediterranean. Biosystematic studies of different taxonomic groups focused on the implementation of the 'Flora Iberica Phycologica. Crops in germination chambers of early stage development of germ cells to give birth. Cytogenetic studies on the quantification of nuclear DNA from  marine macroalgae.

Postdoctoral researcher in the field of molecular marine ecology, specialized in the study of population genomics in marine invertebrates

Mariona Gonzalez Pineda is an environmental scientist and has completed a master's degree in Oceanography and Marine Management. She has always been interested in the human impact on aquatic systems and its effect on the ecosystem. Currently, she focuses her study on the microplastics present in Antarctica's benthic invertebrates.

Evolutionary biology, behavior and conservation. Seabirds as study model. Analysis of stable isotopes, ecophysiology, pollution, microbiology, molecular genetics, use of remote monitoring devices animal movement, telemetry and geographical information systems.

My research focuses on the study of the diversity, ecology, ecophysiology and conservation of mesophotic and deep vulnerable marine ecosystems dominated by corals and gorgonians, to provide understanding for the sustainable management and conservation of marine ecosystems. This research is developed following a multidisciplinary approach combining fieldwork, experimental studies, and a highly diversified collection of laboratory analyses. In this sense, my research includes the study of taxonomy, spatial distribution pattern of species, the state of their populations (demography), energetic condition (lipid content), reproductive and trophic biology (stable isotopes and fatty acids composition), and metabolic processes (calcification, respiration, excretion rates). Combining sampling by scuba diving and the use of underwater technology (underwater towed cameras, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, manned submersible), coral and gorgonians species are studied over extensive areas and depth ranges covering their entire spatial distribution, as the best way to achieve a comprehensive understanding of their ecology and the variability of their responses to environmental features and human induced stressors.

Our main research interests are understanding the mechanisms underlying molecular adaptation. We combine theoretical, analytical and experimental approaches, some of them developed in our group, to determine the relative role of the principal evolutionary forces in driving species diversification and in promoting genetic innovations. For that, we analyze both DNA sequence data generated in our lab (NGS data) and genomic data retrieved from databases, always within the framework of comparative and population genomics / transcriptomics. An important part of our work is focused on the origin and evolution of multigene families involved in the chemosensory system of invertebrates. We also actively develop and / or maintain software for the analysis of genetic and genomic variation in different contexts.

He works on the long-term monitoring of marine biodiversity in the protected areas of Catalonia, carrying out field sampling, data analysis and writing technical reports.

Ecology of marine benthic communities from the perspective of conservation. Monitoring study of communities and populations of algae, macroinvertebrates and fish, studying the movement of fish and marine reserves as a tool for conservation and management.

Lecturer in the Zoology and Biological Anthropology Section of the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences. His research activity focuses on conservation biology of vertebrates and addresses aspects of population biology, trophic ecology and movement ecology among others using interdisciplinary approaches

PhD student focused on the study of the evolutionary history of pelagic birds of the genus Calonectris and the evolution of migratory behavior in this species complex

Predoctoral student in the field of plant physiology. My research is based on the study of holoparasitic plants and their physiological mechanisms to succes in parasitism, at the same time as the consequences they have on the host.

Restoration of mining spaces and other degraded spaces. Biodiversity management.