Team: Teresa Goicolea Marín

Meet Teresa, a postdoc researcher with Araújo Lab at the MNCN-CSIC.

Can you share a bit about your academic and research background?

I am a forest engineer from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), enrolled in a multidisciplinary program that combines technical and biological subjects. For my final degree thesis, I received a scholarship to work with the Jane Goodall Institute in Senegal, where I undertook a variety of tasks, including forest inventories, developing a plant nursery, monitoring camera traps, and studying chimpanzee behaviour. My main focus, however, was on connectivity analyses—specifically, facilitating genetic exchange among chimpanzee populations in a fragmented landscape.

This experience fuelled my passion for landscape ecology, leading me to pursue a PhD at UPM. There, I focused on improving connectivity modelling by integrating often-overlooked factors such as species-specific movement behaviour and landscape dynamism. Following this, I completed a postdoc at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, where I specialized in plant distribution and connectivity modelling. Now, I am embarking on my second postdoc at MNCN.

What specific research projects have you been involved with in the past, and what role did you play?

I have worked on several research projects using ecological modelling to support conservation efforts. My work has contributed to defining priority conservation areas and corridors for species such as the Iberian lynx, brown bear, and chimpanzee. More recently, I have been developing species distribution and connectivity models that incorporate climate change, with the goal of identifying vulnerable species and habitats. These models aim to prioritize areas for conservation and management to enhance biodiversity resilience.

What are your primary research interests, and how did you become interested in these areas?

I’m interested in integrating biodiversity and connectivity predictions with factors related to human development and global change to support conservation planning. My engineering background has shaped my drive for applied science, leading me to focus on developing accessible and practical ecological modelling tools that maximize conservation efforts. I also aim to ensure that my work remains adaptable to the rapidly increasing availability of species distribution data, environmental information, and computational resources, while being accessible to a wide range of users, including researchers and conservationists with varying levels of access to technology, data, and resources.

What will you be working on in our research group, and what are your goals for this project?

At MNCN, I will be modelling the current and future distribution of all plant species in Spain using the latest methods. The goal is to assess species’ vulnerabilities to climate and land-use changes, as well as to evaluate the overall conservation status of Spanish flora. Ultimately, this research aims to inform and prioritize national-scale conservation strategies.

How does your current research align with the overall objectives of our research group?

My research aligns closely with the group’s focus on understanding how major global changes impact biodiversity and how this knowledge can be applied to improve conservation planning. I look forward to learning from the group’s extensive expertise and hope to contribute by incorporating new modelling techniques I’ve developed in the past.

Are there any particular challenges you anticipate facing in your current research? How do you plan to address them?

One major challenge is the computational intensity required for large-scale modelling, particularly when analyzing numerous species and scenarios. Additionally, standardizing data from multiple sources—each with different taxonomic classifications, spatial resolutions, and temporal scales—poses another difficulty. To address these issues, I’m optimizing computational workflows to enhance efficiency and developing data harmonization techniques.

What skills or knowledge are you hoping to develop during your time in this research group?

I want to refine my long-term research goals and develop a clear strategy for achieving them. Being part of a large, interdisciplinary group will provide an opportunity to learn from colleagues with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience. I’m particularly interested in broadening my understanding of topics like community ecology and marine biology, areas in which I have less experience. I hope that learning to integrate different fields and expertise will better prepare me for future leadership roles in research.

Additionally, I aim to improve my skills in project planning, scientific writing, and networking to increase the impact of my work. I’m also eager to expand my international collaborations and gain experience through research stays abroad. On a technical level, I’d like to explore new programming languages and environments to enhance my modeling capabilities.

Where do you see your research taking you in the next five years?

In the next five years, I aim to strengthen my CV by securing postdoctoral fellowships and competitive funding, such as Ramón y Cajal or Marie Curie grants. This will enhance my prospects of obtaining a permanent research position, allowing me to develop my own projects with long-term stability.

Are there any particular conferences, journals, or professional networks you are keen to engage with through your research here?

Any activity that broadens my perspective and allows me to share my work is welcome. I’m eager to contribute to high-impact journals and present my research at conferences in biogeography, ecological modelling, and conservation science. I also want to engage with a diverse range of scientists and stakeholders through interdisciplinary meetings, as these interactions may help refine my research questions and ensure they address real-world conservation needs.

What do you think are the most pressing questions or challenges in your research field today?

One of the biggest challenges in connectivity modelling is its high computational demand, which limits the ability to include multispecies analyses and dynamic landscape changes while maintaining species-specific accuracy. Another major issue is the limited real-world validation of connectivity models and measures, making it difficult to translate modelling results into actionable conservation strategies.

How do you stay updated with the latest developments and research in your area of interest?

I follow the work and recommendations of researchers with similar interests through platforms like ResearchGate. I also stay updated with scientific literature by using research databases to explore recent advancements and by reaching out to contacts with expertise in specific topics. Additionally, I review research articles as a peer reviewer for various journals and serve on the editorial board of Landscape Ecology, which helps me stay informed about developments beyond my immediate research network.

Can you recommend any groundbreaking or influential papers/books in your field that you think everyone should read?

One book that had a big impact on me was Jane Goodall’s In the shadow of man. It strongly connected with my experiences and aspirations as a researcher during my time in Senegal. Her pioneering work in ecology and conservation was a huge inspiration for me to pursue my PhD and continue working in this field.

Outside of research, what are your hobbies or interests?

I love spending time outdoors—whether hiking, biking, surfing, diving, or simply enjoying a drink on a terrace. I’m always up for trying new activities and experiences in nature. And food, always food!

How do you balance your research commitments with your personal life?

Right now, my flexible personal life allows me to work unconventional hours—sometimes too many—because research is so engaging, and it’s hard to switch off when something is on my mind. Some analyses take a long time to process, so I often run them at odd hours to maximize efficiency. This flexibility has also made it easier to move between countries without major sacrifices. However, I know this balance isn’t guaranteed, and as my personal life and career evolve, I’ll need to find ways to maintain a sustainable equilibrium.

Are there any non-research activities or groups within our institution or community that you’re interested in joining?

I’d love to get involved in hands-on, nature-related projects, such as fieldwork for sampling or monitoring, as a break from computer-based tasks. I’m also interested in outdoor and cultural activities that help build relationships with colleagues in a more relaxed setting.