I am a biologist working primarily in spatial ecology, macroecology, road ecology, and trait-based modeling, with a recent focus on applying Artificial Intelligence to ecological modeling.

My current work as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Computer Science at Oklahoma State University (USA) focuses on adapting artificial intelligence tools—particularly Inductive Logic Programming—to generate explainable rules for ecological processes.

Previously, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), where I conducted nationwide analyses on steppe birds in Spain, assessing conservation priorities, evaluating protected areas, and investigating overlaps between biodiversity hotspots and renewable energy projects. 

I obtained my PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Reading (UK), where I studied the drivers of wildlife mortality on roads in Latin America using spatial analyses, trait-based models, and machine learning techniques. Specificallly, my research identified species traits that increase roadkill risk, priority areas for research and conservation, landscape and road features associated with increased risk. I also created and currently lead REMFA, a citizen science project to collect roadkill data in Ecuador,  which proved valuable for evaluating these impacts at the country level. In addition, using the data collected in the field, I expanded my research into other areas, resulting in publications in Genetics, and Parasitology.

Nevertheless, my starting point in science was my MSc in Conservation Biology at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, where I carried out the first systematic assessment of road impacts on wild tetrapods in Ecuador, laying the foundations for road ecology research in the country.  

I am deeply curious and fascinated about understanding the patterns that rule life. Then I am constantly exploring new tools that allow improving data analysis. 

Life is more than academia, and I also love other activities that involve music, going to concerts, movies, travelling, knowing new places, new cultures, and trying new beers!

Please, feel free to contact me. I will be happy to discuss any potential collaborations.