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connectivity, network analysis, ecological modeling, individual based model, larval, early life stages, marine sustainability, fisheries, MPA planning, seafood trade, habitat connectivity, kelp, posidonia, limpet, sea urchin, abalone, mussels, anchovy, dolphinfish, hake, bluefin tuna
Spain, France, New Zealand, Chile, Colombia

Biography

After completing my biology degree at U del Valle, Colombia, I progressed to the U de Barcelona and ICM, enjoying a JAE-CSIC fellowship, earning my PhD in 2012. My journey then led me to WWF-Med while based in New Zealand, followed by influential postdoctoral positions at the Millennium Marine Conservation Centre (2013) and Pontificia U Católica (2014) in Chile. A milestone of my career was being honored with the H2020 Marie S. Curie Action (2017), facilitating my return to Spain to join IMEDEA (UIB-CSIC) since 2018. My tenure here was enriched with fellowships from the Balearic Is. Gov. (2021), Juan de la Cierva (2022), Maria de Maeztu (2024) and Ramón y Cajal (2024).

Generation of Knowledge: Central to my research is connectivity, vital for understanding complex systems. This includes defining the fundamental unit for connectivity study, differentiating structural from functional connectivity, understanding emerging behavior, and measuring the systems’ connectivity. My research revolves around hypotheses on ecological networks’ emergent properties, examining topology and centrality to understand ecosystem dynamics, human activities’ effects, and environmental and global changes. I use programming languages like Python, Java, R, and dynamic modeling techniques, including Individual Based Models, Bayesian Belief Networks, GAMs, GLMMs, supplemented by advanced GIS apps. My work blends technical expertise with creative visualization, evident in interactive apps and infographics I have created. My earlier studies range from seabird nesting connectivity in dense colonies to biophysical transport of larvae of small pelagic fish in the Mediterranean and key invertebrates in the Humboldt Current System. Further in my career, I have expanded to trophic webs, benthic habitat connectivity, networks in MPAs, and ecosystem services. More recently, my studies of the global seafood trade network unveil complexities links between producers, exporters, and importers countries. My academic output includes + 50 peer-reviewed publications, 40% as first, leading, or corresponding author; an H-index of 19; and active participation in over 44 conferences (36 as oral). I have collaborated with organizations like FAO, WWF, and governmental bodies in Spain, New Zealand, Chile or Colombia contributing to over 15 sci./tech. reports, establishing a significant presence in the international research community.

Development of Individuals: My career embodies a commitment to leadership and mentorship. I have guided BSc, MSc, and PhD students from prestigious institutions like U Barcelona, U Santiago Compostela, Aarhus U, and Pontificia U Católica Chile. My mentoring includes PhD theses at U Barcelona (2019) and U Balearic Islands (2023), continuing with James Cook U (2024). My passion for education shines through in my coordination and teaching of international courses in network analysis and graph theory, benefiting students, PhD’s, postdocs, and researchers worldwide. In Chile, my role in coordinating a major FONDECYT project is noteworthy. I have participated in +18 EU-funded projects like CERES, FutureMares (H2020), and MARBEFES Horizon EU, showcasing my efficiency and results-driven approach. My involvement in the EqualSea ERC project (PI S. Villasante) as task coordinator and core team member underscores my leadership in scientific endeavors.

Wider Research Community: My influence extends to various international WGs. I evaluate Mediterranean fisheries, contributing to groups like the ICES WG on small pelagic fishes (WGSPF), benthic community dynamics WG (WGCOMEDA), and I am a central member of the GFCM FAO-CopeMed II WG on dolphinfish fisheries in the Mediterranean. Recently, I have joined Alimentta, a think tank for a sustainable food system. Additionally, the organization of international courses (ECOMAR network, CYTED), and the evaluation of the MSCA programme of the EU, highlights my dedication to the broader research community.

Broader Society: My research, focusing on ecological and socio-economic aspects of globalized natural resources, has a profound societal impact. I assess management strategies for exploited species in the Humboldt Current Ecosystem and the Mediterranean, collaborating with managers and spatial planners to enhance ecosystem connectivity and service flow, contributing to global sustainability. My outreach efforts include 5 popular articles, the documentary “Larvas las viajeras del Oceano” with over 1450 views on Vimeo, +130 newspaper mentions, and 9 radio interviews. In 2021, I presented my research at the EU Green Day in Brussels to a general audience.

At my research's heart is a passion for unraveling complex interconnections in marine ecosystems. I aim to advance understanding and contribute to sustainable management strategies, enhancing ecosystem resilience. In an era of environmental and socio-economic shifts, I lead research that harmonizes human interaction with nature sustainably.

Activities

Employment (8)

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas: Madrid, ES

2025-01-01 to 2029-12-31 | Ramón y Cajal contracted researcher (Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats IMEDEA UIB-CSIC)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas: Madrid, ES

2024-06-15 to 2024-12-31 | Contracted researcher by Maria de Maeztu Excellence Program (Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats IMEDEA UIB-CSIC)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas: Madrid, ES

2022-09-01 to 2024-06-15 | Juan de la Cierva - Incorporación Fellow (Ministry of Science and Innovation) (Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats IMEDEA UIB-CSIC)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas: Madrid, ES

2021-06-01 to 2022-08-31 | Vicenç Mut Fellow (Balearic Islands Government) (Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats IMEDEA UIB-CSIC)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas: Madrid, ES

2018-01-01 to 2021-03-12 | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action MSCA Fellow (H2020 EU) (Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats IMEDEA UIB-CSIC)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: Santiago, CL

2014-11-01 to 2017-10-31 | PostDoc Researcher via funds from National Fund for Scientific & Technological Development (FONDECYT) (Faculty of Biology / Depatment of Ecology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

World Wildlife Fund: Barcelona, ES

2012-08-15 to 2016-02-29 | Scientific and technical advisor (Mediterranean Fishery Programme)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: Santiago, CL

2013-07-01 to 2014-10-31 | PostDoc Researcher via funds from Millenium Nucleus - Center for Marine Conservation (Centro de Conservación Marina - Núcleo Milenio)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Education and qualifications (3)

Universitat de Barcelona: Barcelona, Catalunya, ES

2008-08-01 to 2012-12-15 | Ph.D. (Ecology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Universitat de Barcelona: Barcelona, Catalunya, ES

2006-08-01 to 2008-07-31 | M.Sc. (Ecology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Universidad del Valle: Cali, CO

1997-09-01 to 2004-03-01 | B.Sc.
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Professional activities (16)

ICES/PICES: Copenhagen, Capital, DK

2020-03-09 to present | Chair-invited Member (Working Group on Small Pelagic Fish WGSPF)
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades: Madrid, ES

2024-06-19 | Ramón y Cajal fellowship (Agencia Estatal de Investigación)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats IMEDEA UIB-CSIC: Esporles, Illes Balears, ES

2024-06-15 | Attraction and retention of talent (Maria de Maeztu Excellence Program)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación: Madrid, Madrid, ES

2021-11-29 | Juan de la Cierva Incorporación (2020) fellowship (Agencia Estatal de Investigación )
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Govern de les Illes Balears Direcció General de Política Universitària i Recerca: Palma, Balearic Islands, ES

2021-05-25 | Vicenç Mut Postdoctoral Fellowship
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Cádiz, Andalusia, ES

2019-10-08 to 2019-10-09 | Chair Invited Member (CopeMed II-MedSudMed Workshop on the status of Coryphaena hippurus fisheries in the Western-Central Mediterranean)
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: Brussels, BE

2018-01-01 | Grant agreement ID: 746361 (MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

ICES: Copenhagen, Capital, DK

2011-11-21 to 2011-11-25 | Chair Invited Member (Working Group on Acoustic and Egg Surveys for Sardine and Anchovy in ICES Areas VIII and IX (WGACEGG))
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

ICES: Copenhagen, Capital, DK

2010-11-15 to 2010-11-15 | Chair Invited Member (Working Group on Integrated Ecosystem Modelling MARIFISH)
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

ICES: Copenhagen, Capital, DK

2010-03-10 to 2010-03-10 | Chair Invited Member (Working Group on Acoustic and Egg Surveys for Sardine and Anchovy in ICES areas VIII and IX WGACEGG)
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas: Madrid, Madrid, ES

2008-01-01 | JAEPreDoc Grant (Junta de Acción de Estudios)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Universidad del Valle: Cali, CO

2002 | Academic Excellence Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Universidad del Valle: Cali, CO

2001 | Academic Excellence Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Universidad del Valle: Cali, CO

2000 | Academic Excellence Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Universidad del Valle: Cali, CO

1999 | Academic Excellence Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Universidad del Valle: Cali, CO

1998 | Academic Excellence Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Funding (5)

Juan de La Cierva - Incorporación (2020)

2022-09 to 2025-08 | Award
Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Madrid, ES)
GRANT_NUMBER:

IJC2020-044266-I

Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Traceability, certification and sustainability of Mallorca’s small-scale fisheries

2021-06 to 2022-08 | Salary award
Direcció General de Política Universitària i Recerca, Govern Illes Balears (Palma, Balearic Islands, ES)
GRANT_NUMBER:

0118648

Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Co-tRiP: Dolphinfish living in a warming ocean: How global climate change is reshaping the distribution, physiology and behaviour of marine migratory species and their associated fisheries

2018-01 to 2021-03 | Grant
H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Brussel, BE)
GRANT_NUMBER: 746361
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Connecting places in the coastal ocean: origin and fate of propagules in the complex system of management, open-access and marine reserves of central Chile

2014-11 to 2017-11 | Grant
National Fund for Scientific & Technological Development (FONDECYT) (Santiago de Chile, CL)
GRANT_NUMBER: 3150425
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Early life history dynamics of European anchovy in the Western Mediterranean: an Individual-Based Modelling approach

2008-01 to 2012-01 | Salary award
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Madrid, ES)
Source: Self-asserted source
Andres Ospina-Alvarez

Peer review (1 review for 1 publication/grant)

Review activity for Science of the total environment. (1)