by understanding environmental molecular diversity
I am interested in understanding the factors that shaped the biological diversity we observe today. My focus is on how both biotic and abiotic interactions have impacted the evolutionary history of eukaryotes. To do so, I study environmental DNA, what it represents, its phylogenetic relationships, and its ecological preferences to access both known and unknown lineages. The fossil and rock records further allow me to contextualize such findings in a global paleo-ecological framework.
In 2013 I completed a BSc in Biology with a focus on ecology from Oviedo University (Spain), followed by an international MSc in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (EMBC) from Ghent University (Belgium) in 2015. In November 2019 I defended my PhD thesis at the Biological Station of Roscoff (CNRS-Sorbonne University, France), where I studied the molecular diversity and evolution of Radiolaria. I then carried out postdoctoral research at Uppsala University (Sweden) exploring the enigmatic early life of eukaryotes. After parental leave, I joined the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-UPF, Spain), where I am developing new approaches to study the vast undescribed diversity of microbial eukaryotes revealed through environmental DNA to better understand their role in shaping eukaryotic diversity and evolution.
In my free time I always try to go rock climbing. Besides, I also enjoy other sports such as swimming, running, juggling, hiking or a bit of surfing or skiing. In general, I would join any kind of activity, and if it is outdoors and in good company I would go anywhere.