My research covers a wide range of questions and issues related to the conservation, evolution and biogeography of biotas. Although I have a bias towards plants and Macaronesian islands, we use a broad spectrum of organisms and geographic regions as models. Using experimental, ecological and genetic approaches, an important focus of our work is on understanding what mechanisms drive species evolution and formation, extinction and community assembly over space and time. In this context, I am interested in how island systems allow us to visualize the various stages in the evolutionary history of organisms and communities, providing a key to understanding their interactions with geological and climatic events. Our line of research also addresses the current consequences of global change, including the question of how climate change and invasive species determine the distribution, ecology and evolution of biodiversity on islands. For example, we investigate patterns and processes related to biological invasions, with the ultimate aim of providing tools for the management and control of this growing environmental problem. Our work is complemented by the ultimate aim of not only reaching out to important and interested social groups, but also enabling them to participate in our science.
Biogeography, Botany, Global Change, Citizen Science, Conservation, Evolution, Biological Invasions, Islands, Plants.
- PhD in Biological Sciences. University of La Laguna (2006-2010).
- Diploma of Advanced Studies. University of La Laguna (2004-2006).
- Degree in Biological Sciences, specializing in Botany and Ecology. University of La Laguna (1999-2002).
- Ramón y Cajal fellowship. University of La Laguna (2018-2021).
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie global fellowship. IPNA-CSIC and University of California Berkeley (2017-2018).
- Juan de la Cierva – Incorporation fellowship. IPNA-CSIC (2016-2017).
- Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Senior Researcher. University of Lausanne (2015).
- Le Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS). University of Liège (2012-2015).
- Vice-President of the Spanish Bryological Society (2019-present).
- Board Member of the Spanish Botanical Society (2020-present).
- Member of the Institute of Canary Studies (2019-present).
- Member of the International Biogeography Society.
- Member of the International Association of Bryologists.
- One six-year research period – Spanish National Evaluation Commission (2006-2012).
- Commission member for the Master of Terrestrial Biodiversity and Conservation on Islands (2018-2021), University of La Laguna.
- President of the Research Commission of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology Department of the University of La Laguna (2020-2021).
- Associate Editor of the journals: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal of Bryology, The Bryologist, Scientia Insularum.