I completed my BSc in Marine Science at the University of Cadiz in 2001 and my PhD in Ecology at the University of Barcelona in 2008. From 2002 to 2010, I worked at Spanish National Research Council (CEAB-CSIC), narrowly linked to managers, on the design and use of biotic indices for assessing the ecological status of coastal waters. Since 2011, I am Researcher at the Centre of Marine Science (CCMAR-UAlg, Portugal).

My research aimed at:

1. Understanding biotic interactions shaping ecosystems associated to habitat-forming seagrasses and seaweeds, with special emphasis on seagrass-herbivore interactions.

2. Assessing the ecological effects of human impacts on such ecosystems, particularly of emergent ocean acidification and its interaction with pre-existent local stressors such as coastal eutrophication.

3. Extracting useful ecological information to guide the improvement of monitoring tools and bioindicators, and ultimately the conservation of seagrass habitats, biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The research line on species interactions that I lead represents a key branch of the ALGAE group, in which it is integrated in a collaborative environment. I have supervised 2 PhD candidates (ongoing), 20 MSc (7 ongoing), and 5 BSc students (3 ongoing). As PI, I have obtained funding and established productive collaborations with researchers in Germany (AWI, GEOMAR), Italy (University of Palermo, SZN), USA (Oregon State University), Australia (University of Adelaide), Brazil (UFSC), Portugal (UAlg, CCMAR), and Spain (CEAB-CSIC, IMEDEA, University of Las Palmas de GC, IRTA, University of Alicante). I am currently editor of 3 scientific journals (Frontiers in Marine Sciences, IMSJ and ARMS), and Professor at the University of Algarve (Marine Biology Degree and Master of Marine and Coastal Systems).

I´m am currently looking for students interested in the above-mentioned topics (PhD & MSc students). All projects are possible. Email me to discuss availability.