Scientific contributions. I am fascinated by the extraordinary diversity of biological forms and strategies in the ocean and am dedicated to documenting marine invertebrate diversity while uncovering the evolutionary processes that shape it. My research applies an integrative approach, combining multiple data sources, theoretical frameworks, and analytical methodologies. To date, I have described more than 80 new species—mainly annelids—and established two new genera, working across littoral to deep-sea ecosystems in Australia, Japan, Thailand, Panamá, and European waters. My current research focuses on phylogeography, species delimitation, and the discovery of cryptic species. I also have a strong interest in the functional morphology and evolutionary history of specific organ systems, particularly sensory structures. My conservation-related work includes research on invasive species and population connectivity in human-altered environments (e.g., ports), as well as the application of novel molecular tools for environmental monitoring. I have participated in 18 research projects—8 of which are international and 7 where I served as PI or co-PI—with a total funding exceeding €1.7 million. Additionally, I was appointed Scientific Coordinator for the Biodiversity area in the Balearic Islands under the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (NextGenerationEU), managing a €5 million grant. I have authored 82 scientific publications, including 62 in SCI-indexed journals, 60% of which are Q1 (e.g., Cladistics, Zoologica Scripta, Frontiers in Marine Science, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society). I am lead author on 54% and senior author on 16% of these publications. I have also contributed one book and 17 invited book chapters, and have presented at more than 50 conferences.

Contributions to Society. I am committed to public science engagement, the promotion of biodiversity awareness and the principles of open science. I have worked at Natural Science Museums in Australia and Norway (2005–2018) and coordinated the Balearic Biodiversity Centre participating in diverse outreach activities and giving interviews in the media. In 2020, I joined the CoMBoMed initiative to celebrate International Biodiversity Day with surveys and seminars across European schools. I was an invited speaker at the STARMUS side-event “Biodiversity and Humanity” in 2017. I have authored three popular science articles and multiple blog posts. In recognition of my outreach work, I received a university grant to organize a marine photography exhibition, I and was awarded first prize in the University of the Balearic Islands’ V Scientific Dissemination Contest for my article “Stories of Cavernicolous Worms”, later published on The Conversation.

Scientific Training and Teaching. I am Senior Lecturer (Profesora Titular) in Zoology, and have extensive teaching experience, with over 900 hours of undergraduate and postgraduate instruction. I have supervised or co-supervised 2 completed PhD and am currently supervising 1 doctoral theses, in addition to 13 MSc and 6 BSc thesis projects. From 2015–2018, I coordinated the Nordic Research School in Biosystematics (ForBio), funded by the Norwegian Research Council, where I led training and postgraduate courses. From 2022, I have coordinated the Balearic Biodiversity Centre (UIB), also leading the organisation and design of 12 postgraduate course. I am involved in some of the research and training hubs for the EUNICoast Alliance - The European University of islands, ports and coastal territories. I have participated in international teaching initiatives, including a Norwegian–Russian training program funded by the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education, and received funding for a Teaching Innovation Project at UIB.

Editorial and Professional Service. I serve as a Review Editor for Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2024–) and previously for Frontiers in Marine Science (2014–2017). I am on the editorial board of Graellsia (CSIC) (2023-) and have reviewed over 50 manuscripts for 24 SCI journals. I have evaluated research proposals for national programs, including the “Juan de la Cierva” and the General Subdirectorate for Research Projects (Spanish Ministry of Science, 2018, 2019, 2024) and international programs (Leibniz Competition -Leibniz Collaborative Excellence). I am an Honorary Research Associate at the Australian Museum and a member of the International Invertebrate Morphology Association and the Systematics Association. I have served on the organizing committee for eight scientific conferences, including the virtual ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting in 2021, and the presential equivalent meeting in 2023, which hosted over 2,000 participants each.

CV Summary:

• 1997: Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences (Environmental Biology), Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM)
• 2004: PhD in Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM)
• 2004–2005: Interim Associate Professor, Department of Biology, UAM
• 2005–2007: Postdoctoral Researcher, Australian Museum, Sydney (MEC/Fulbright Postdoc Fellowship)
• 2008–2011: Postdoctoral Researcher, Australian Museum (Australian Biological Resources Study funding)
• 2012–2015: Postdoctoral Researcher, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim
• 2015–2017: Researcher at NTNU and Coordinator of the Research School in Biosystematics (ForBio)
• 2018–2023: Ramón y Cajal Research Fellow, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB)
• 2023–2024: Senior Lecturer (Profesor Contratado Doctor), Zoology, Department of Biology, UIB
• 2024–present: Associate Professor (Profesora Titular), Zoology, Department of Biology, UIB

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