I am a Chilean marine biologist, the type that travels always with ziploc plastic bags and tweezers. As part of my bachelor and master studies, I took several courses on phycology (marine botany, phycology, phytoplankton, applied phycology, advanced phycology, culture of microalgae), that gives me a wide overview on ecology, taxonomy, and applications of algal resources. Algae has been my passion since the beginning of my studies, and I have based my entire career in these fascinating organisms. Already early in my studies I focused my attention on the algae, because I understood how important they are for the marine ecosystem. Almost all animals depend either directly or indirectly on marine algae for their food supply. Their key role as microhabitat forming organisms is indisputable; not only the gigantic kelps, but also turf and subdosel macroalgae contain a rich biodiversity of organisms associated with them. Whether diving underwater or looking under the microscope, the study of algae offers a fascinating pool of forms and interactions of interesting living evolutionary and ecological laboratories. The development of defenses and specific resulting associations are of particular interest, because chemistry has been found to play the crucial role for those interactions with the surrounding biota. My interest in algal diseases led me to describe a new species of a parasite affecting Durvillaea antarctica. I started studying phytoplankton in a small southern bay of Chile in 2002. Later, I worked with macroalgae taxonomy, chemistry, and biological invasions in Chile. After that I continued with macroalgae-microbial associations in Germany. In Czech Republic, I investigated the physiological effects of metals and bio recycling, and in Bulgaria I studied thermal springs communities. I have cultivated both micro- and macroalgae, including cold adapted polar microalgae and hot desert cyanobacteria here in Norway. In the last years, I have been involved in several projects on cultivation of both micro- and macroalgae, towards a sustainable use of the resources we have, especially as food. And as a side project, I have been studying the diversity of Norwegian macroalgae. If you are interested in my research, if you need some help, or you are looking for research interactions, please contact me.

Interests

Macro and microalgae

Taxonomy, distribution, ecology, chemistry and natural products, defences and interactions.

Plankton

Phyto and zooplankton sampling and identification.

Biological invasions, underwater photography

Memberships

Society of Phycology of Chile

Member

2010 - present

International Society for Applied Phycology

Member

2009 - 2011

Aquasendas Cultural Center

Founding Member

2004 - 2007

The institution’s goal is to develop knowledge to further community about preservation of natural resources through research, popular education and educational projects

Experience

Taxonomy

Sampling of algae and plankton, histological preparations, herbaria.

Microscopy

Stereoscopic and inverted microscope, scanning electron microscopy.

Culture and preservation

Macroalgae, microalgae, bacteria and fungi.

Molecular analysis

Chemical analysis, preparation of extracts

Several biological active tests

Teaching

Diving

Work experience

Researcher in macroalgae research.

Department of Plant and Environmental Science (IPV), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Viken, Norway.

2018 - to present

Researcher in microalgae research/technical support.

Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Ås, Viken, Norway.

2017

Researcher in microalgae research.

Department of Plant and Environmental Science (IPV), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Viken, Norway.

2016 - 2017

Postdoc researcher. Thema:“Effect of rare earths elements (REEs) from industrial waste on the cells of green algae”.

Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, Institute of Microbiology ASCR, Třeboň, Czech Republic.

2013 - 2015

PhD Thesis work

Carried out in the Kieler Wirkstoff-Zentrum (KIWIZ) an IFM-GEOMAR, CAU University of Kiel.

2008 - 2011

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile

2006 - 2008

Assistant Professor for the courses “Zooplankton” (BMA 274), “Biological Sampling Techniques” (BMA 275) and “Laboratory of Marine Botany” (BIO 105) for Marine Biology..

Thesis work

Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Oceanography of the Universidad de Concepción.

2005 - 2006

Assistantship

Vegetal Biology I (243207) and of Botany for Veterinary (243216). Universidad de Concepción.

2004 - 2005

Thesis work

Carried out in the Laboratory of Phycology (Faculty of Marine Sciences) and Laboratory of Environmental Gestations and Quality Control in the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Universidad de Valparaiso.

2002 - 2004

Participation in Oceanographic Cruise Cimar 9 – Fjords

Puerto Montt to Puerto Aysen, Chile. Agor Vidal Gormaz. 06th-26th November 2003

2003

Practice in the JAOM Mussel Culture Center of Ilque

Puerto Montt, Chile. February.

2002

Assistantship of Biochemistry (BMR 311) and of Plankton (BMR 323).

Universidad de Valparaiso.

2001 - 2002

Personal skills and competences

Spanish

Native speaking

English

Advanced level

German

Advanced level, Sprachdiplom I, II, ZDP certificates

Norwegian

Intermediate level, B1-B2

Diving license

Autonomous sport diving license Open Water Diver (SSI). Diving license Dry Suite Diver (SSI).