:: CASEB :: Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Ecología y Biodiversidad

Abades, Sebastian, PhD (2006-2008) Tutor: P. Marquet
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 4.
Current position: Associate professional, CASEB Program 4.
I am interested in the study of ecological phenomena that share properties with other complex systems. I have borrowed ideas, concepts and tools from physics, informatics and related areas with a focus on developing further the statistical mechanical approaches to understand ecological systems.

Aiken, Christopher, PhD (2008-2011) Tutor: S. Navarrete
Previous position: Postdoc Colorado State University
Current position: Postdoc CSIC (Linc-Global) & University of Sydney, associated to CASEB Program 6.
Working partly in modeling dispersal of marine species and its effects on population viability and species persistence, and partly on modeling coastal currents and projections under different climate change.

Andrade, Santiago, PhD (2003-2007) Tutor: J.A. Correa
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 7.
Current position: Associate professional and Associate researcher, CASEB Program 7.
The main focus of my investigation is to study the chemical speciation of dissolved copper in a coastal area impacted by copper mine tailings in northern Chile. This study involves identification of the various forms of copper in the marine system. The bioavailability and potential toxicity to organisms of copper in the marine environment is directly related to its chemical speciation. The analytical approach implies the use of "clean techniques" in the sampling, manipulation, storage and analysis of seawater samples. The determination of the bioavailable copper fraction is done using Anodic Striping Voltammetry.
To be able to carry out an ecological evaluation of the potential toxicity of the dissolved copper to the aquatic life of the area under the study, these results are integrated and supplemented with different field studies and laboratory tests that are carrying out for the working group of the Program 7 of the CASEB.

Arim, Matias, PhD (2006-2007) Tutor: M. Lima
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 2.
Present position: Associate researcher, CASEB Program 2 and Professor, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.
As a postdoctoral associate at CASEB I am involved in the study of invasion dynamics. It has recently been shown that invasion spread is a well-regulated process. The existence of this regulation implies that analytical tools and the theoretical framework developed in population dynamics theory can potentially be used to study spread dynamics. My main focus is on the analysis of the extent and limitations of this connection between population dynamics theory and spread dynamics. My efforts are concentrated on looking for different approaches to the problem, exploring alternative methods for the analysis of real invasions and working with simulations of invasions in a lattice in order to evaluate possible mechanisms that account for observed patterns. On empirical grounds, I am devoting special attention to the analysis of the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in the UK. This epidemic probably represents the best registered invasion and is an optimal study model.

Bacigalupe, Leonardo, PhD (2003-2004) Tutor: F. Bozinovic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 1.
Current position: Assistant Professor, Universidad de Concepcion, Chile.
As a postdoctoral associate at CASEB, I was mainly involved in understanding the role of the maternal environment on the adaptive evolution of physiology, using a quantitative genetic approach. In particular, I investigated the influence of mothers on different performance traits using a terrestrial isopod as a study model. In addition, I was working on different problematics and controversies of the scaling of metabolic rate with colleagues of the University of Bern.

Baythavong, Brooke, PhD (2010-2011) Tutor: E. Gianoli
Previous position: PhD University of California - Davis
Current position: Postdoc NSF, associated to CASEB Program 1
My postdoctoral research aimed at understanding the role of plasticity and genetic variation in parallel invasion fronts, using as study system the invasive herb Erodium circutarium. I utilized a novel application of Bayesian modeling techniques to analyze data collected from field surveys of populations collected throughout two distinct geographic regions (Chile and California) and greenhouse experiments. This enabled me to address the following questions; 1) How do patterns of phenotypic integration respond via plasticity to environmental variation?, 2) Do genotypes from habitats with greater environmental heterogeneity express greater plasticity in individual trait expression, or phenotypic integration, than genotypes from relatively homogeneous environments?, and 3) Do the roles of genetic and plastic variation in trait values and inter-trait correlations in determining the relative success of a population differ between invasion fronts? Although Chile and California share a Mediterranean climate there may be important differences in patterns of interspecific competition among the two. Additionally E. cicutarium has invaded and expanded its range in Chile more recently (1800’s) than in California (1700’s).

Camus, Pablo, PhD (2007-2011) Tutor: F. Jaksic
Previous position: Postdoctoral Associate, CASEB Program 8.
Current position: Associate Researcher, CASEB Program 8.
My work is related with the investigation, compilation of literature, and analysis of information on biological invasions, along with the critical reading of publications on the subject and contribution to a book chapter dealing with invasions.

Carmona, Martin, PhD (2007-2008) Tutor: J.J. Armesto
Previous position: Ph.D. University of Chile
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 3
My research involves several aspects of soil biology, forest ecosystem ecology, and global change (both climatic and in land-use).

Caro, Andres, PhD (2010-2011) Tutors: S. Navarrete & J.C. Castilla
Previous position: PhD Catholic University of Chile.
Current position: Postdoctoral Associate, CASEB Program 6.
My main focus of research is on species interactions and variability produced by spatial variation in recruitment of new individuals. Using experimental manipulations I quantify intensity of consumer or competitive interactions and how these cascade to the rest of the community. Using long-term datasets of recruitment and regional-scale sampling I evaluate how patterns of community structure respond to environmentally-driven recruitment variability, human impact or to single or few critical species in the community.

Castro, Sergio, PhD (2006-2008) Tutor: E. Gianoli
Previous position: Postdoc FONDECYT, associated to Universidad de Concepcion.
Current position: Associate researcher, CASEB Programs 1 and 2 and Assistant Professor, Universidad de Santiago, Chile.
Phylogeographic analysis of invasive plants in Chile as a tool to understand the demographic mechanisms underlying biotic homogenization

Caviedes-Vidal, Enrique, PhD (2005-2005) Tutor: F. Bozinovic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 1.
Current position: Professor, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Argentina.
As a postdoctoral associate at CASEB, I was working on digestive ecological physiology of birds.

Contreras, Loretto, PhD (2005-2008) Tutor: J. Correa
Previous position: Ph.D. Catholic University of Chile
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 7.
My research interests are aimed at unravelling the molecular bases of copper tolerance in brown and green marine macroalgae. By using proteomic and genomic approaches, I expect to individualize proteins and genes that are either over-expressed or switched off under copper stress. This I will correlate with the biochemical changes in the antioxidant metabolism. The general objective of this study is to find alternative explanations to the persistent absence of key algal species from copper-enriched coastal areas disrupted by copper mine waste disposals.

Crespin, Laurent, PhD (2002-2005) Tutors: F. Jaksic & M. Lima
Previous position: Postdoctoral associat,e CASEB Program 2
Current position: Researcher, Centre de Biologie et de Gestion des Populations (CBGP), Campus International Agropolis de Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez cedex, France.
My research interests include evolutionary biology (in particular population genetics), and ecology (mainly population dynamics and demography). I am currently involved in a project aiming at estimating the population growth rate of a population using data of capture/mark/recapture in presence of trap-dependence for several data sets of small rodents. (Collaboration with Dr R. Pradel & R. Choquet, CEFE-CNRS, France).

Cruz-Neto, Ariovaldo, PhD (2005-2005) Tutor: F. Bozinovic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 1
Current position: Professor, Universidade de São Paulo, Santa Clara, Brasil.
As a postdoctoral associate at CASEB, I was working on energetics and torpor of small mammals.

del Val, Ek, PhD (2003-2005) Tutor: J. Armesto
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 3
Current position: Assistant Researcher, Centro de Estudios en Ecosistemas, UNAM, Morelia, Mexico.
My postdoc project is evaluating small herbivore mammal impact on plant regeneneration in Olivillo forests. The endemic Olivillo forests (Aextoxicon puctatum) have a discontinous distribution in the Chilean Coastal Range, from 30°S (Fray Jorge, FJ) until 42°S (Chiloe), forming isolated fragments in the north.Towards the south of their distribution forest are also fragmented but they form largerfragments. Previous studies have observed that Olivillo regeneration is diferential depending on fragment size, less regeneration in small fragments. The low recruitment in smaller fragments has been explained by abiotic factors a by product of habitat fragmentation. For my investigation I´m postulating that biotic elements from the system (i.e. herbivores) may be also involved in explaining the observed patterns, because the higher densities of herbivore roedents in small fragments. With the results from my investigation I hope to contribute to the understanding of fragmentation effects upon Olivillo forest dynamics, and to give information to establish good management plans and new possibilities for restauration of fragmented habitats.

Diaz, Francisca, PhD (2005-2007) Tutor:,J. Armesto
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 3.
Current position: Associate researcher, CASEB Program 3.
My research interests are centered on understanding patterns of recovery of forest structure and functions following anthropogenic disturbance. A common pattern of anthropogenic disturbance in south-central Chile is the burning of forests to open land for agriculture and cattle grazing. Fire affects forests by reducing total biomass, altering soil structure, and enhancing the loss of nutrients due to volatilization and soil erosion. The main goal of my investigation is to determine the resilience of Chilean forest ecosystems to the most common types of anthropogenic disturbances.

Espinoza Armijo, Guillermo O. (2009-2011) Tutor: P. Marquet
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 4.
Current position: Postodoctoral associate, CASEB Program 4
I am interested in the study of biological complex systems and specifically the mathematical modeling of them. In my PhD I have worked in the study, modeling and development of control methods for intracellular biological regulatory systems using boolean, continuous and stochastic models. Currently, I am working in ecological networks and climate change, making models where we can find rewiring, creation and death of edges and invasion. My efforts are concentrated on looking for different approaches to solve the main problem such as: exploring Stochastic simulation algorithms and the extension of Gillespie theory about chemical master equations, Markov jump processes, and random graph models defining several ecological rules in order to describe the structure of these networks (e.g. stationary degree distribution), and to relate this structure to their persistence and co-evolution.

Estay, Sergio, PhD (2009-2010) Tutor: M. Lima
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 2
Current position: Postdoc FONDECYT, associated to CASEB Program 2.
My main interests are the theoretical and empirical aspects behind the population dynamics of several organisms, without a preference for a particular taxa, but with emphasis in those harmful humans ones(pests and plagues). In particular, I am interested in the role of climate as a forcing factor of the endogenous dynamics of natural populations, and its long-term effects on the intra-population dynamic behavior and on the patterns of synchrony between populations. Moreover, using population dynamics theory we have developed analytical tools to evaluate the consequences of climate change on the patterns of abundance and distribution of species.

Farias, Ariel, PhD (2006-2011) Tutor: F. Jaksic
Previous position: Postdoctoral Associate, CASEB Program 2
Current position: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Catholic Univ. of Chile
I am interested in the dynamic properties of biodiversity and the integration of two conceptual frameworks: (1) the causes of functional diversity and its consequences on ecosystem functioning, and (2) the dynamic interaction between taxonomic and functional components of biodiversity. Given the intrinsic value of biodiversity for ecosystem functioning and for the provision of goods and services, analysing such interactions becomes fundamental for predicting the effects of global change, and for natural resources' conservation and management. My current work aims to determine the effects of native temperate forest fragmentation in Chiloe island on the taxonomic and functional diversity of local top-predator (raptors and carnivores) assemblage.

Faugeron, Sylvain, PhD (2003-2007) Tutor: J. Correa
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 7
Current position: Assistant Professor, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
My research activities are concentrating on the impact of human activities, such as management and over-harvesting of natural populations or pollution, on coastal biodiversity, with particular emphasis in the loss of genetic diversity and increase in spatial heterogeneity in the population genetic structure of seaweeds. I am focused on two main programs: one deals specifically with the effects of copper mine pollution on coastal biodiversity (Program 7 of CASEB), and the other is an international and multidisciplinary research program focused on the interaction of a cultivated seaweed, Gracilaria chilensis, with its epiphytes. In this latter case, I am particularly interested in the impact of over-exploitation and different kinds of management of the resources on the population biology and genetics of this species.

Figueroa, Javier, PhD (2005-2005) Tutor: F. Jaksic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 2.
Current position: Assistant Professor, Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso.
The main focus of my research is to study the factors that influence the adaptive functions of plant seeds and seed banks. My studies have concentrated on germination, dormancy, granivory and seed bank from a community perspective. When I started, my investigations concentrated on the southern temperate forests of Chile, which owing to their history and biodiversity made it possible to test adaptive, structural, and historic hypotheses with regard to the germination strategies and dormancy of seeds. Later, my investigations continued with the aim of clarifying the functional aspects of the seed bank in the mediterranean shrubland of central Chile. The characteristics of the seed bank therein not only have important effects for the regeneration of the shrubland communities and their population dynamics, but also affect the evolutionary processes of those plants. Finally, during the last period I have initiated investigations on plant species invasions, mainly in the mediterranean region of central Chile. I seek to understand the historic determinants of those invasions, the factors related to the invasibility of native communities, and the characteristics of the seeds of the invasive plants. This research has strong implications for the conservation of biodiversity.

Finke, Randall, PhD (2006-2007) Tutor: S. Navarrete
Previous position: Ph.D. Catholic University of Chile
Current position: Associate professional, CASEB Program 6.
I am working on biomechanical processes that can restrict body size and performance of intertidal invertebrates.

Folguera, Guillermo, PhD (2008-2009) Tutor: F. Bozinovic.
Previous position: Ph.D. University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 1.
Global temperature is a popular metric for summarizing the state of global climate. In this context, the variable most frequently analyzed in the case of the temperature is the average. In particular, most part of analysis of global changes has focused in mean values paying less attention to the role of fluctuations of environmental variables. In this sense, thermal amplitude (TA) may differ dramatically between highland and lowland environments. Moreover, TA been suggested to play a selective role in the very few studies addressing its effect on life-history variation. Therefore, we are studying effects of TA by means of three different experiments. At first we analyzed the effects of TA over adult organisms. Second, we are studying effect of fluctuating temperature through ontogeny. Last, we will analyze effects of TA through successive generations of organisms.

Gaxiola, Aurora, PhD (2007-2010) Tutor: J.J. Armesto
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 3.
Current position: Postdoc Iniciativa Cientifica Milenio & Fondos basales, associated to CASEB Program 3.
Experimental studies of climate change effects on semiarid shrublands and temperate forest communities. Analysis of nutrient fluxes through litter and soil in ecosystems, with a particular focus on the interactions between nitrogen and phosphorous.

Gaymer, Carlos, PhD (2002-2003) Tutor: P. Ojeda
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 5
Current position: Researcher, Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA), Universidad Catolica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile.
At CASEB I was working in the early phase of the program 5 "Marine Population and Community Biodiversity", dealing with temporal and spatial dynamics of large littoral highly mobile predator assemblages (LLHMP), their functional organization and the multi-scale processes governing their demography. Activities involved site selection for the monitoring program, diving for setting mooring and temperature loggers, monitoring of oceanographyc variables (e.g. CTD) and plankton (larval quantification) and evaluation of adult crab and rockfish populations. All this in four sites from Bahia Inglesa to Concepcion (III to VIII Region). During this first part, some general patterns related to the local oceanography were identified which determined ecological patterns observed in LLHMP. We observed a high variability in the abundance and distribution of decapod larval stages and a more stable assemblage of juvenile and adults within the systems. These patterns suggested that the demography of LLHMP was more influenced by post-settlement processes than by those related with larval supply. At the same time I was developing an international cooperation with Dr. John Himmelman from the Biology Department Universite Laval, Canada in the program "“Structure of cold water subtidal communities”, financed by NSERC. My current research interests are mainly: 1) understanding the mechanisms and processes that determine structure and organization in marine communities (specifically, the factors that determine and permit coexistence of species in different types of communities) and 2) developing multiple-use marine protected areas coupling scientific and experts criteria and decision support tools to select priority areas for conservation of marine communities. I am particularly motivated in studying the effects of environmental conditions and biological interactions (e.g. predation, competition) as a basis for predicting the impacts of both natural and anthropogenic changes at population and community levels. This ability will, in turn, let us develop the necessary programs and politics for the protection and/or exploitation of marine ecosystems.

Gelcich, Stefan, PhD (2005-2007) Tutor: J.C. Castilla
Previous position: Postdoctoral Associate, FONDECYT & CASEB Program 6
Current position: Associate researcher, CASEB Programs 6 & 7.
I am currently developing research on the “human dimensions” of marine reserve establishment within networks of locally managed limited effort areas, which occur in close proximity to one another to create an integrated marine management scenario. I specifically aim to understand stakeholders attitudes and values respect to marine conservation. I am exploring these human dimensions by using social science models as frameworks to allow a better understanding of individuals behavioural responses. My research draws from the theory of reasoned action and prospect theory to better understand stakeholders attitudes and response decisions with respect to marine reserves. I also draw on non-market valuation to understand the values society puts on marine biodiversity and its services. The information gathered on the human dimensions of marine reserves will ideally aid in the development and refinements of policy attempting to use limited access management strategies. It may also guide policymakers and academics to consider better ways of adapting limited access networks to local realities, which should give scope for better planning, compliance and equal access to resources.

Gomez, Susana, PhD (2008-2010) Tutor: E. Gianoli
Previous position: PhD Universidad de Concepcion.
Current position: Postdoc FONDECYT, associated to CASEB Program 1.
Anthropogenic fire as a selective agent on seed traits of native plants in the Chilean matorral: a case study with Helenium aromaticum (Asteraceae)

Gonzalez, Alejandra, PhD (2007-2008) Tutors: B. Santelices & J. Correa.
Previous position: Ph.D. University of Chile
Current position: Postdoctoral Associate, CASEB Program 7.
My research centers on the taxonomy of intertidal Lessonia, using morphological and molecular characters.

Gonzalez, Angelica, PhD (2008-2011) Tutors: J.J. Armesto & P. Marquet
Previous position: Postdoctoral Associate, CASEB Programs 3 & 4
Current position: Postdoc FONDECYT, associated to CASEB Program 3 & 4.
I am broadly interested in how ecosystem biogeochemistry and trophic dynamics influence and are influenced by interactions between nutrient availability and the elemental composition of organisms. I am currently working on nutrient and hydrologic cycling within terrestrial ecosystems to assess how nutrient and water availability may affect food web structure and multitrophic dynamics. My research has been carried out within the framework of Ecological Stoichiometry (ES), which provides an integrative approach to understand how energy and nutrient availability can constrain processes from organism to the community-level that consequently affect ecosystem structure and functioning. I am also interested in effects of global environmental change on biogeochemical cycling by altering element ratios of multiple ecosystem components, such as soil, autotrophs, consumers, decomposers, and detritus. Of particular interest are the links between nutrient availability and stoichiometric constraints on invasive species, and the effects of biological invasions on pools and fluxes of elements across ecosystems. My research should help advance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of consumer elemental stoichiometry, stoichiometric constraints operating on consumer-resource interactions, and their influence on fluxes and stores of energy and multiple chemical elements within ecosystems.
I have done additional research on the understanding of the influence of habitat structure on species diversity and conservation.

Guillemin, Marie-Laure, PhD (2006-2008) Tutor: J. Correa
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, Station Biologique de Roscoff, France
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 7 .
My research is focused mainly on two topics. One is characterizing past and present gene flow, and the other is studying the reproductive strategies of species from ecological and evolutionary My studies involve the use of different types of genetic markers, including microsatellites and gene sequences (nuclear, mitochondrial and chloroplastic). Currently I am involved with the phylogeographic comparisons of three Chilean seaweeds of ecological and economical importance.

Guiñez, Ricardo, PhD, (2002-2003) Tutor: J.C. Castilla
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 6
Current Position: Associate Professor, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile.
As a postdoctoral associate at CASEB, I focus my research on the ecological, genetical and oceanographical process affecting the intertidal populations at the Antofagasta Bay. We search for the ecological meaning of tidal and diurnal signals of temperature fluctuations in the nearshore water column and the way that they vary with the strength of coastal upwelling. Also we were interested in searching and implementing experimental designs for the genetic, evolutionary and ecological impact of the recent invasion of the Australian tunicate Pyura praeputialis at the Antofagasta Bay.

Kelaher, Brendan, PhD (2003-2003) Tutor: J.C. Castilla
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 6
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
The major aim my post-doctoral research was to determine environmental and ecological factors that create, maintain or reduce marine biodiversity over a hierarchy of spatial scales. For example, Dr Juan Carlos Castilla and I demonstrated that in Northern Chile small-scale habitat characteristics of a common rocky shore bioengineer influence associated community structure significantly more than broad-scale oceanographic features. In central Chile, we also investigated the potential for ecological redundancy in bioengineering on rocky shores. My post-doctoral work raised interesting and important issues relating to global-scale generality in patterns of marine biodiversity. Dr Castilla and I are currently pursuing these ideas by collaborating on a project investigating intercontinental patterns of faunal diversity associated with marine bioengineers that have Gondwana origins.

Labra, Fabio, PhD (2006-2009) Tutor: P. Marquet
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 4
I am interested in the study of ecological phenomena that shares properties with other complex systems, I have borrowed ideas, concepts and tools from physics, informatics and related areas with a focus on developing further the statistical mechanical approaches to understand ecological systems.

Lagos, Nelson, PhD (2003-2004) Tutor: J.C. Castilla
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 6.
Current position: Assistant Professor, Universidad Santo Tomas, Santiago, Chile.
The main focus of my investigation include spatiotemporal variations in recruitment of intertidal species, variation in species diversity at biogeographic scales and the role of environmental variability upon these patterns. Exploring spatial synchrony patterns for several intertidal taxa and in different coastal environment, I develop a comparative approach that attempt to discern the relative importance of coastal process and larval dispersal upon the observed spatiotemporal variations in settlement and recruitment patterns. I am also studying the role of local topography and regional geomorphology upon the modulation of coastal circulation, and their consequences on benthic recruitment, population abundance and species diversity. All of these issues have direct implications in conservation and management of marine populations providing guidelines to the selection of candidate sites and their spacing for marine reserves (Program 6). I am also interested in the effect of copper disposal upon intertidal communities of northern Chile. I participate in a long-term monitoring program that aim to characterize the temporal and spatial changes in species diversity and study the community level responses to the application of restoration techniques (artificial transplant, Program 7) in these localities.

Ledger, Thomas, PhD (2008-2011) Tutor: B. Gonzalez
Previous position: Ph.D. Catholic University of Chile
Current position: Postdoc Researcher CONICYT (Academy Insertion Program), associated to CASEB Program 7
Effect of Burkholderia phytofirmans PsjN on plant growth and resistance to abiotic stress.

Lee, Matthew, PhD (2005-2008) Tutor: J.C. Castilla
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CIMM-PUC.
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 6.
I am putting together comprehensive species lists for the various intertidal micro-habitats commonly encountered on the central Chilean coast. The biodiversity of the macrofaunal species is already well described in the literature, but the meiofaunal component is largely unexplored, despite the fact that that it may constitute the majority of the biodiversity of the intertidal. I am also developing various artificial substrata methodologies, including 'live' artificial mussel beds. With these I plan to examine the influence that factors such as habitat complexity and near shore productivity have on biodiversity. Other work includes, putting together a biodiversity list for the Marine Reserve at the Estacion Costera de Investigaciones Marinas (ECIM) in Las Cruces and the relaunch of 'MeioChile" meiochile.matthewlee.org a website I am developing as a source of information on meiofauna in Chile.

Lopez, Maria Victoria, PhD (2004-2008) Tutor: F. Bozinovic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 2.
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 1.
My interests are centered in understanding how animals cope with changes in environmental conditions. Presently I am working on the interplay among foraging ecology, digestion and energetics of birds.

Manriquez, Patricio, PhD (2004-2004) Tutor J.C. Castilla
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 6
Current position: Assistant Professor Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
My research program focuses on basic and applied research in life-history, ecology, evolution and conservation of marine organisms. During 2002-2005 as part of my CASEB activities as a postdoctoral associate I have used marine invertebrates as models, and have mostly worked on reproductive ecology and larval ecology. Specific areas refer to reproductive investment and mating strategies in colonial invertebrates, where I have used the marine bryozoan Celleporella hyalina as a model system; chemical signals as ecological tools using the marine gastropod Concholepas concholepas; feeding behavior of intertidal invertebrate larvae, working with of C. concholepas larvae and two intertidal barnacles species; and reproductive biology and fertilization success in Chilean ascidians, where I have experimentally examined the main reproductive mode, sperm longevity, sperm concentration and their consequences on fertilization success, and mechanisms of gamete release and synchronization. Moreover, I have experimentally examined the hydrodynamic and behavioral control of settlement in these species.

Medina, Matias, PhD (2004-2004) Tutor: J. Correa
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 7
Current position: Researcher CIEN-Austral, Puerto Montt, Chile.
My post-doctoral research has been mainly focused on field sampling, analysis, and publication of the data generated by our group (Research Program 7) in relation to the ecological disruption that copper mine tailings have produced on intertidal ecosystems in the northern Chile. In addition, I have been working in two new lines of research. Intertidal ecotoxicology, where I am searching for the effects that heavy metals (i.e. copper) exert on different life-history traits, physiological parameters and population growth rate of different species that inhabit these kind of ecosystems; and what I have called MIcroEvolution due to Pollution (MEdP), where I am attempting to understand the way anthropogenic disruptions of the environment influence evolution of species. In relation to this, I am supervising the thesis of three students and I am working with foreign scientists in a European research project (FCT, Portugal).

Moran, Ana Cecilia, PhD (2006-2008) Tutors: B. Gonzalez & J. Correa
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, European Union Project ACCESS.
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 7.
My research is focused in characterizing the microbial communities of intertidal sediments impacted by copper in comparison to those from non-impacted sediments, and in the isolation of sulfate reducing bacteria from copper impacted sediments.

Naya, Daniel, PhD (2006-2007) Tutor: F. Bozinovic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 1.
Current position: Professor, Universidad de la Republica, Monteviedo, Uruguay.
My interests are centered in understand how animals adjust their traits at different phenotypic levels – e.g., biochemical, physiology, anatomy and life history – to cope with changes in environmental conditions. Specifically, I am working in the interplay between digestive traits and energetics in different species of vertebrates and invertebrates. In this way, I investigate how phenotypic flexibility and phenotypic integration can affect processes of the life history evolution.

Nespolo, Roberto, PhD (2002-2002) Tutor: F. Bozinovic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 1.
Current position: Assistant Professor, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
The central objectives of my postdoctoral stay in CASEB were related with the determination of genetic variation in traits related with physiological performance in a variety of animals (vertebrates and invertebrates). Since natural selection acts on phenotypic variation, the potential response to selection will be characterized by the ratio between additive genetic variance and phenotypic variation, which is known as narrow-sense heritability. On the other hand, the integrated response to selection includes trade-offs among traits that are reflected by genetic correlations. The determination of these genetic variances and covariances implies complex pedigrees designs that just a few times have been successfully developed in natural populations and physiological traits. Hence, the core of my postdoctoral research and beyond, was focused on using these designs to answer the question of whether physiological capacities of animals will present interindividual variation and in determining the nature of this variation (additive genetic, environmental, maternal).

Pardo, Luis Miguel, PhD (2004-2004) Tutor: P. Ojeda
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 5
Current position: Assistant Professor, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
Subtidal marine organism recruitment dynamics: Our group's research has been concentrated mainly in understanding the processes behind fluctuations in the arrival of new individuals to the marine benthos and the impact they have throughout the community. Our first step in attempting to accomplish this objective has been to determine recruitment patterns of coastal fishes and decapod crustaceans. To detect temporal variations in the recruitment of fish, we have been using, for the first time in Chile, SMURFs (Standard Monitoring Units for Recruitment of Fish) which simulate brown seaweed fronds and have shown to be very effective capturing recruits at other latitudes. Additionaly, we regularly perform standardized bottom suctions of different subtidal habitats with the aim of estimating recruit and juvenile abundances of decapod crustaceans. We have implemented an experimental area on the central coast of Chile (Pta. de Tralca, V Region), in which 40 concrete trays (50 x 50 x 20 cm.) were installed at 33 feet depth. These trays constitute standardized units for many kinds of experiments, like predator inclusion/ exclusion, juvenile growth and post-larvae habitat selection. Because recruitment is a critical point in the life cycle of marine organisms with dispersive larval phases, and has a direct influence in the population size, our research is generating important amounts of information for the conservation and management of these two groups of coastal marine species. Workgroup: Fernando Ogalde (biologist), Javier Infante (Aquaculture engineer), Catalina Prieto (Biology student, PUC), Patricia Sepulveda (Biology student, PUC), Isabel Valdivia (Biology student, PUC).

Perez, Fernanda, PhD (2006-2007) Tutor: J.J. Armesto
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 3.
Current position: Assistant Professor, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
My research involves evolution of reproductive systems in Schizanthus.

Poulin, Elie, PhD (2002-2003) Tutor: P. Ojeda
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 5
Current position: Assistant Professor, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
The main research question 1: How does speciation occur under different geographic scales? The research developed in the Laboratory of Molecular Ecology http://lem.dm.cl/ concerns the interaction between past and present climatic variation and mechanisms responsible for the origin, maintenance and loss of genetic diversity. To progress in our understanding of the speciation patterns and processes at different scales, we are investigating selected biological models that illustrate past and present speciation events. At large geographic and time scales, we work in clarify the origin and evolution of the Antarctic marine benthic fauna, establishing the phylogenetic relationships between congeneric invertebrate species from Antarctica and South America. In this context we are also working to evaluate how cyclical climatic events such as the El Nino/Southern Oscillations, Pacific Decadal Oscillations or, at larger time scale, the Pleistocene glaciations have been and are modulating the genetic diversity of most of species of the South-Eastern of South America. In the marine realm, we are looking for recent and past population size variation in pelagic fish living in the highly productive upwelling systems of south- and north-east Pacific, in relation with the exploitation regime imposed by the commercial fisheries. At a small geographic and time scales, we are investigating an endemic fish species of the genus Orestias that live in the salares of the Chilean Altiplano to determine if the present dryness of the Andean Altiplano promotes small-scale differentiation that could account for past species flocks in this genus.

Poupin, Maria Josefina, PhD (2009-2012) Tutor: B. Gonzalez
Previous position: PhD. Catholic University of Chile
Current position: Postdoc FONDECYT N°3100040, PAI Project 79090016 Assistant Professor Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, associated to CASEB Program 7.

Reid, Sharon, PhD. (2009-2009) Tutor: F. Jaksic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 8
Current position: Adjunct Professor, Stanford University
Diversity and ecosystem function. My research focuses on the consequences of avian frugivore diversity for seed dispersal and plant regeneration in semi arid Chile, where a high proportion of the woody flora have fleshy propagules. I am interested in how the interaction dynamics between avian frugivores and plants affects three dispersal-related processes: fruit removal, seed deposition patterns, and seed germination at the deposition sites. My approaches are theoretical (mutualistic network models) and experimental (in the laboratory and the field).

Ríos, Rodrigo, PhD (2010-2012) Tutor: E Gianoli
Previous position: PhD University of Missouri - St. Louis
Current position: Postdoc MECESUP ULS, associated to CASEB Program 1.
Evolutionary ecology of insect-plant associations in semiarid Chile

Ritter, Andres, PhD (2011-2011) Tutor: S. Faugeron
Previous position: PhD University Pierre et Marie Curie and Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 7
Transcriptomics and proteomics of kelp response to specialized herbivory by Scurria scurra.

Rojas, Jose Miguel, PhD (2006-2006) Tutor: P. Ojeda
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 5.
Current position: Associate professional, CASEB Program 1.
My research interests include behavior and community ecology in marine littoral systems. Particularly, I am focused in the evaluation of antipredatory behavior as relevance trait for the spatial and temporal structure of fish assemblages inhabiting rocky shores. In particular, my approach involves field experimentation, which includes manipulation of individuals (fish) under conditions of variable safety (refuge availability), assuming that variable-risk predation condition is a critical factor in the process of decision taking in these organisms regarding the use of space. Additionally, and as a strategy for validating this approach, I am also interested in the relevance of recruitment and how it affects the natural assemblages by using artificial collectors. Along the same line, and using brachyuran decapods (crabs) as a model, I am also involve in the evaluation of the role of color patterns present in early benthic stages of these organisms, and their change throughout ontogeny, as a strategy that may reduce the predation pressure exerted by fishes. The later may help understand the importance of individual antipredatory defense mechanisms, in relation with escape strategies of age/size-structured populations (importantly affected by periodic recruitment events), which is regarded as one of the main antipredatory defense strategy in invertebrates.

Sabat, Pablo, PhD (2002-2002) Tutor: F. Bozinovic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 1
Current position: Assistant Professor, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Very few lineages of passerines include species that rely primarily on marine resources for food. My postdoctoral project evaluated which changes in osmoregulatory function accompanied the evolutionary change from freshwater to marine environments in the genus Cinclodes. To assess the relative contribution of marine and terrestrial sources to bird diet, I compared the carbon isotopic composition and the osmoregulatory capacities of field-caught individuals of Cinclodes species in Chile. The differences in carbon isotopic composition among Cinclodes species were paralleled by differences in osmoregulatory characteristics. The strictly marine C. nigrofumosus had larger kidneys with a higher fraction of total renal tissue occupied by medullary cones than its congeners. In addition C. nigrofumosus produced more concentrated urine in the field. This species appears to be unique among passerines in its ability to live in extreme arid coastal environments and in coping with a marine diet that imposes high osmotic loads.

Salinas, Fernanda, PhD (2009-2011) Tutor: P. Marquet
Previous position: Postdoc IEB, associated to CASEB Program 4.
Current position: Research Associate, IEB, associated to CASEB Program 4.
I am intersted in the evolutionary history of the Tillansia genus in the Chilea/Peruvian coastal desert. I am working on the phylogenetic relationships of the species of this genus in order to understand their tempo and mode of evolution and their radiation in the coastal deserts of South America

Segura, Alejandro, PhD (2003-2003) Tutor: F. Jaksic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 8.
Current position: Environmental Consultant, Ambiente Seguro S.A., Santiago, Chile.
During my tenure as postdoc I have been preparing a monograph on Chilean spider biodiversity. I have devised identification keys, made quality-photographs to accompany the text, drafted distributional maps, and prepared complete ecological profiles of what is available on each spider species. This research is ongoing, because I have yet to obtain data from some scarce and remote species.

Shinen, Jennifer, PhD (2007-2013) Tutor: S. Navarrete
Previous position: PhD, University of California, Davis, USA
Current position: Postdoc FONDECYT, associated to CASEB Program 6.
I am working on mechanisms of competition between intertidal mussel species as well as barnacles, using a combinations of laboratory and field experiments.

Silva, Sergio, PhD (2005-2009) Tutors: F. Bozinovic, M. Lima & F. Jaksic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Programs 1 and 2.
Current position: Researcher, INIA-IV Region, Vicuna, Chile.
I am studying predatory guilds in two central Chilean localities: the protected Las Chinchillas National Reserve and the disturbed San Carlos de Apoquindo. These two sites hold comparable food resources, which are exploited by essentially the same predatory species.My hypothesis is that human disturbance should produce changes in predatory guilds, these being the end-results of a chain of effects that propagates through local food webs, from food resource levels (small mammals and birds, arthropods, and fruits) to their end-users (vertebrate predators)

Sordet, Camille PhD (2009-2010) Tutor: J.A. Correa
Previous position: Graduate student at Universite Toulouse III
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 7
Interaccion Cobre-Macroalgas: caracterización bioquimica de exudados.

Stuardo, Macarena, PhD (2009-2012) Tutor: B. Gonzalez
Previous position: Ph.D. Catholic University of Chile
Current position: Postdoc Researcher CONICYT (Academy Insertion Program),
Assistant Professor Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, associated to CASEB Program 7.
My current research interest is the assessment of different biotechnological strategies, based on Cupriavidus pinatubonensis JM134, a well-known aromatic compound degrader, to improve bioremediation and phytoremediation procedures.

Tapia, Fabian, PhD (2007-2008) Tutor: S. Navarrete
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 6
Current position: Researcher, COPAS Oceanographic Center, Concepcio, Chile
I am currently working on spatial patterns of settlement of invertebrates in central Chile. Using high frequency biological observations and spatio-temporal information on physical oceanographic processes we are trying to a) infer which are the most important cross shelf transport mechanisms and b) build a more predicitve model of spatial variation in settlement.

Tognelli, Marcelo, PhD (2002-2004) Tutor: P. Marquet
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 4
Current position: Postdoctoral associate, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, San Juan, Argentina.
The focus of my postdoctoral research at CASEB is the conservation of Chile’s biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. My approach involves two concepts, namely, analyses of GAP type and Systematic Planning for Conservation. Toward this, I use Geographical Information Systems for the design of biodiversity reserves. By superimposing the ranks of distribution of species and the envelopes of the Protected Areas of Chile, I establish the degree of protection of different species and determine which are the geographical areas (and species) with greater priority of conservation (what is known as GAP analysis). Then, with the reserves design program, I determine the priority places for conservation, in such a way as to maximize the representation of species in the smaller possible area. This permits a greater efficiency and optimization of the resources allocated to conservation. During this process, socioeconomic variables (i.e. human population density, land use) can be incorporated to avoid conflicts about the places selected for conservation. By means of these tools, alternatives of conservation can be generated to serve as guidelines to governmental and nongovernmental organizations, to make efficient decisions regarding the resources destined to conservation. The advantage of this method is that it is explicit, transparent, repeatable and easily adaptable for different situations.

Torres, Cristian, PhD (2008-2010) Tutor: E Gianoli
Previous position: PhD Universidad de Concepcion
Current position: Postdoc FONDECYT, associated to CASEB Program 1.
The consequences of floral herbivory by the native bee Megachile distinguenda on the reproductive ecology of Chaetanthera renifolia (Asteraceae), an endemic species of the Andes of central Chile.

Vergara, Pablo, PhD (2006-2008) Tutor: J.J. Armesto
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 3
Current position: Assistant Professor, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
The spatial response of bird abundance to fragmentation constitutes the main focus of my research.

Wallem, Petra, PhD (2009-2010) Tutor: F. Jaksic
Previous position: Postdoctoral associate, CASEB Program 2.
Current position: Associate professional, CASEB Program 2.
My main interests are related to biological invasions, their biology, management and policy development in Chile. I am working on the beaver invasion in Tierra del Fuego, characterizing the response of the native flora to this disturbance agent, as well as identifying underlying mechanisms to this successful invasion. I also do collaborative work with the governmental institution Comision Nacional de Medio Ambiente (CONAMA) regarding risk assessment of invasive species and making check list of invasive species in Chile.

Wieters, Evie, PhD (2006-2013) Tutor: s. Navarrete
Previous position: PhD. University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Current position: Associate Researcher at Rhodes University, South Africa. Associate Researcher PUC, associated to CASEB Program 6.
I am currently working on the non-trophic community-wide ramifications of environmental stress on habitat-forming species in central Chile and Easter Island. These community changes are produced by changes in facilitation caused by nutrient driven trait-modifications of turf algae in central Chile and by the environmental stress produced by temperature and UV-radiation in corals of Easter Island. We are interested in both, the environmental conditions that buffer these species from extreme climate variability and the immediate consequences on associated species. In collaboration with colleagues from different centers, I also work on the characterization of patterns of community and fucntional structure of intertidal communities along the shores of South Africa, Argentina and Chile, and their associated with predominant oceanographic features.