About Our Research

We utilize advanced Data Science techniques, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big-data computational frameworks, to explore the fundamental mechanisms that govern biodiversity. Our goal is to comprehend and predict global distribution patterns, from genes to entire ecosystems, considering both historical climate variations and future climate change projections. Our research also examines the effects of human activities such as climate change, habitat destruction, overexploitation, and the spread of invasive species. We adhere to the FAIR principles (making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), providing data to the public, managers, and policymakers to support informed decision-making for the protection, conservation, and management of biodiversity.

The Rationale

Major threats to global biodiversity and ecosystem functionality include climate change, habitat degradation, overexploitation, and biological invasions. These threats are causing species loss and disrupting energy flows, with significant implications for human health, well-being, and economic activities. Current measures to address the biodiversity crisis are inadequate, emphasizing the need for research that assesses the impacts of human activities under various scenarios. This research is critical to guide citizens, managers, and policymakers in developing effective strategies for biodiversity protection, conservation, and management. Our team is dedicated to creating the tools and providing the necessary information for evidence-based, long-term proactive actions to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems.

The Central Question

Our primary inquiry is: "What are the consequences of human activities on global biodiversity and ecosystem functionality?" Specifically, we aim to:
- Understand the underlying mechanisms that drive global biodiversity distribution.
- Project the impacts of human activities, particularly global climate change, on biodiversity distribution under different scenarios (e.g., Paris Agreement targets vs. lower mitigation efforts).
- Identify key conservation areas to protect biodiversity for future generations (e.g., climatic refugia) to inform global conservation and management strategies.

Join Our Team

If you're interested in pursuing a postdoc, PhD, or MSc project with our team, we can assist you in securing your own funding. Please review the funding opportunities listed below and send us a one-page summary of your research idea, along with your CV. If you don't have a specific research idea, we encourage you to review our publications and schedule a meeting with us.

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT): The national public agency that supports research in science, technology, and innovation across all areas of knowledge.
European Research Council (ERC): The leading European funding organization for exceptional frontier research, funding creative researchers of any nationality and age to undertake projects across Europe.
"la Caixa" Foundation: Dedicated to improving the present and future of people by focusing on high-impact, transformative programs.