Personal information
Biography
I completed my BSc and MSc degrees in Marine Science at the University of Cadiz in 2001 and my PhD in Ecology (with Honors) at the University of Barcelona in 2008. From 2002 to 2010, I worked at Spanish National Research Council (CEAB-CSIC), narrowly linked to managers, on the design and use of biotic indices for assessing the ecological status of coastal waters. Since 2011, I am Researcher at the Centre of Marine Science - University of Algarve (CCMAR-UAlg, Portugal), including lecturing at degree and master levels since 2018.
My research aimed at advancing the ecological knowledge of seagrass ecosystems to support science-based management, advise environmental policy, and promote their conservation, highlighting their benefits to people and to the planet. Since 2012, I led a research line that represents a key branch of the ALGAE group and focus on:
• Seagrass response to environmental impacts, bioindicators and biotic indices.
• Species interactions modulating the resilience of seagrass ecosystems
• Biodiversity and iconic species hosted by seagras habitats
My research comprises multiple countries and regions, with particular focus on the European NE Atlantic and the NW Mediterranean basis. My work always combines experimentation and field data collection to address major research questions regarding current patterns and drivers, as well as main consequences of global change.
My work is compiled in 42 publications including papers, books, dissertations, conference abstracts, and reports for governmental organizations. This work has also been presented in several national and international events, some of which as invited speaker. I have participated in several national and international research projects (>41% of which as PI), which funding sums a total amount of over 4.7k€. I have productive collaborations with world leading researchers from Germany (AWI, GEOMAR), Italy (UNIPA, SZN), USA (Oregon State University), Australia (University of Adelaide), Brazil (UFSC, FURG), Spain (IRTA, UA, ULPGC, CEAB-CSIC, IMEDEA), and Portugal (UAlg, CCMAR).
I teach at the University of Algarve within the Marine Biology Degree (UCs General Ecology or Benthic and Nektonic Processes) and the Master of Marine and Coastal Systems (UC Marine Trophic Dynamics), also tutoring lab and/or experimental methods in the International Marine Biology Master. I have supervised several PhD, MSc. and BSc students, most of them in the last 3 years. I have been member of the Editorial board in 3 scientific journals and habitual reviewer in 11 SCI journals. I have also been involved in several activities of science dissemination to the general public and of knowledge transfer to citizens, managers, or policymakers, as well as in the organization of events.
Activities
Employment (9)
Education and qualifications (3)
Professional activities (8)
Funding (19)
ccmar02/2013
0806060BL
ren2007/MAR
512744 / 043
CV04000002
ICA3-CT-2002-10003
CV02000018 (2002) and CV03000002 (2003)