Álvaro Figueroa Calderón

Ph.D. in Science with a concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidad Austral de Chile

A biochemist and researcher specializing in molecular biology, molecular diagnostics, and the immune response to zoonotic pathogens, with experience in bovine and human tuberculosis. He has participated in research and development projects focused on genotyping, microbiological culture, and molecular techniques applied to animal and public health. He is currently an adjunct professor at the Universidad Austral de Chile, conducting research in molecular biology, immunology, and the diagnosis of infectious diseases using advanced cellular and genetic analysis tools.

Andrea Silva Báez

Ph.D. in Science, with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution, Universidad Austral de Chile

Biologist and researcher specializing in functional genomics, evolution, and the molecular responses of organisms to environmental stressors. She is currently Executive Director of AUSTRAL-omics and a researcher at the Universidad Austral de Chile, where she leads and advises on scientific and technological projects based on genetic and genomic tools. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms associated with insecticide resistance, environmental physiology, and the decline of pollinating insects, integrating genomics applied to conservation and biodiversity.

Jorge Pérez Quezada

Agricultural Engineer, University of Chile

Ph.D. in Ecology, University of California, Davis

I am a research associate at the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, specializing in ecosystem integrity. My research focuses on estimating carbon pools at the ecosystem level. I also analyze carbon and water fluxes in agricultural and natural ecosystems using direct field measurement methods.

Susana Paula

Ph.D. in Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Cádiz, Spain

An academic and researcher specializing in fire ecology, plant functional biology, and evolutionary ecology, with extensive experience in studying vegetation’s adaptive responses to environmental stress, wildfires, and climate change. She is currently an assistant professor at the Universidad Austral de Chile and a principal investigator at the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity. Her work integrates ecological research, human capital development, and science communication, focusing on ecosystem resilience, fire dynamics, and the conservation of Mediterranean and temperate forests and landscapes.

Milen Duarte

Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Chile

An academic and researcher specializing in socio-ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, and nature-based solutions, with experience in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. She is currently a professor at the Universidad Austral de Chile, where she directs the Socio-Ecological Restoration Laboratory, and a research associate at the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity. Her work integrates applied research, post-fire restoration, marine conservation, and land-use planning, linking science, communities, and environmental management to strengthen ecosystem resilience.

Mauricio González-Chang

Ph.D. in Agroecology and Entomology, Lincoln University (New Zealand)

An academic and researcher specializing in agroecology, entomology, and ecosystem services, with expertise in functional biodiversity and the sustainable management of agroecosystems. He is currently an assistant professor at the Universidad Austral de Chile, conducting research on ecological interactions, beneficial insects, and agricultural sustainability. His career encompasses teaching, applied research, and fieldwork, including studies on native dung beetles and biodiversity conservation in agricultural systems.

Dr. Aníbal Pauchard
PhD in Forest Ecology, University of Montana

Director of the Biological Invasions Laboratory

Full Professor at the School of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción.

He is currently a full professor in the School of Forest Sciences at the University of Concepción. He is the founder and director of the Biological Invasions Laboratory (LIB), a joint initiative of the University of Concepción and the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity. His research focuses on the ecology of biological invasions and their impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

Using multi-scale approaches based on field observations and experiments, he has studied the synergies between global change drivers and invasions in mountain ecosystems. He is also interested in issues related to conservation and natural resource management. Pauchard is a contributor to IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) and is also an Associate Editor for international scientific journals such as the Journal of Applied Ecology and Biological Invasions.

Dr. Rafael A. García – Scientific Coordinator

Ph.D. in Forestry, University of Concepción

Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB-Chile)

Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción

I lead the research division at the VCCB, where I am responsible for developing research projects and fostering scientific collaborations with national and international institutions. Additionally, as a researcher at the Biological Invasions Laboratory, my research focuses on studying the impacts of biological invasions—particularly those involving woody plants—and on developing management strategies for invaded areas. I am also interested in the study of fire ecology to understand how native and exotic plants respond to the effects of wildfires.

Dr. Rafael A. García – Scientific Coordinator

Ph.D. in Forestry, University of Concepción

Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB-Chile)

Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción

I lead the research division at the VCCB, where I am responsible for developing research projects and fostering scientific collaborations with national and international institutions. Additionally, as a researcher at the Biological Invasions Laboratory, my research focuses on studying the impacts of biological invasions—particularly those involving woody plants—and on developing management strategies for invaded areas. I am also interested in the study of fire ecology to understand how native and exotic plants respond to the effects of wildfires.

Juan Armesto

PhD in Botany, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey

Principal Investigator at the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity

Full Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

It supported the first science-based network providing support and infrastructure for long-term research on Chilean terrestrial ecosystems. Long-term studies conducted at the Senda Darwin Biological Station (SDBS) include monitoring (over 10 years) of tree pollinator assemblages, the role of primary forests in supporting canopy biodiversity, and the assessment of tree recruitment in temperate shrublands. The results shed light on the role of rural landscape ecosystems and the restoration of temperate forests.

Dr. Lohengrin Cavieres G.

Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Chile

Full Professor at the Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences at the University of Concepción.

His research interests focus on the distribution patterns and ecophysiology of native and introduced species along natural gradients, with the aim of identifying the key factors influencing the distribution and abundance of these species and thereby gaining a better understanding of the potential consequences of climate change. To this end, he employs a range of both observational and experimental approaches in various ecosystems, although the primary focus is on high-mountain ecosystems. He serves as an Associate Editor for international scientific journals such as Alpine Botany, Plant Ecology & Diversity, Gayana Botanica, and Ecosistemas.

Dr. Marcela Márquez García

Advisor on the Human Dimensions of Conservation, Río Cruces Wetlands Center

Ph.D.in Interdisciplinary Ecology, University of Florida (EE.UU.)

I conduct interdisciplinary research to understand the perspectives of various stakeholders involved in natural resource management, with the aim of identifying strategies that reconcile economic development with nature conservation. Within the framework of the VCCB Program, my research has focused on identifying the factors that influence the adoption of conservation practices in vineyards, as well as evaluating the biodiversity workshops conducted by the Program. More broadly, I am interested in investigating processes of collaboration and communication among multiple stakeholders, with the aim of applying this knowledge to foster more effective partnerships for innovation and problem-solving in highly complex socio-ecological systems.