What did you study at A-level equivalent and why did you select those subjects?
I studied in Spain, so the system was a bit different. My optional courses were Biology, Maths, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences. I still had to take compulsory subjects like History, Philosophy, Spanish, English, etc, and complete a standardised test in most of these subjects to access university. I always felt an interest in biology, and I found maths quite satisfying (being able to find the one correct answer!)
What degree and PhD did you study?
I studied Biology at the University of the Basque Country, then completed a Master’s in Ecology and Conservation of Tropical Areas, run in Ecuador, followed by a PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of Miami in Florida.
My PhD focused on the ecology and physiology of Andean and Amazonian bamboos. It involved a lot of fieldwork in the Andes and the Amazon.
What inspired you to choose and study your degree subject?
My initial inspiration to become a tropical ecologist came when I first visited the Amazon as part of a student-led expedition. The overwhelming diversity of Amazonia sparked my curiosity, and working towards understanding and conserving Earth’s most vital ecosystems became a life goal.
Later, while living in the tropics, I experienced first-hand the tension between conservation and development, and the threat that climate change represented to tropical forests, which further inspired me to pursue my life goal.
My research tackles the vital question of whether tropical mountains can act as contemporary refugia for thousands of plant species that are facing new, intolerable conditions due to climate change.
This research is inspiring, as it will address what I believe is the most pressing issue in current ecology: how will tropical forests (Earth’s most carbon-rich and biodiverse biome) respond to climate change?
What is your current job and what do you enjoy about it?
I am a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin fellow and a University of Liverpool research fellow, so I can devote most of my time to research and mentoring, which I truly enjoy.
I am in the process of building my own lab, recruiting students and other members to become part of the growing community of forest ecologists at the university.
Do you have an area of expertise?
I am a tropical forest ecologist focused on understanding and providing evidence for the impacts of climate change on tropical forest composition. My research primarily explores altitudinal migration — the upward shift of tropical tree species in response to rising temperatures as they seek suitable environmental conditions.
To investigate these dynamics, I work with climate datasets, long-term vegetation time series, and field-based experiments. My work aims to answer key questions such as: How will tropical forests — the planet’s most carbon-rich and biodiverse biome — respond to climate change? And what will future montane forests look like?
What has been your most exciting project or career role?
My most exciting project was my PhD. I moved to Miami, Florida (US) to pursue a doctoral degree in tropical ecology. During that time, I independently selected and developed my doctoral research on the role of bamboo as a modulator of local and regional forest dynamics.
I carried out extensive fieldwork in the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon, setting up plots, performing censuses, identifying species, and measuring functional traits.
I led research conducted by small working groups and large collaborative networks. I travelled to conferences and met incredible people. Although the PhD was really hard work and seemed insurmountable at times, I will always cherish those years. Of course, I do have to say that becoming (and being every day) a mum is also very high on the list of exciting projects.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
I can’t think of one single piece of advice, but in general I am very appreciative of the guidance I have received advocating for work-life balance, emphasising the importance of family time, and empowering me to be both a scientist and a mum.
Any advice you’d like to share?
In the early stages of your career, it's important to explore different paths to discover what truly interests you and what doesn’t. While adaptability and openness to new opportunities are valuable, it’s equally important to be thoughtful and selective, rather than jumping into something just because it’s readily available.
I also feel that being a researcher is so much more than doing research! It includes teaching, mentoring, administration, public speaking, outreach… I would encourage anyone considering this path to reflect on what aspects of this profession genuinely appeal to them and consider whether it is the best choice.
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