Favorite bird: Black-backed Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater)

His main lines of research are related to the physiological and behavioral adaptations of birds during migration preparation, and the effects of human activities (mainly aquaculture, agriculture, and leisure) on them. His primary scientific discipline is Conservation Biology, leading multiple basic science, applied research, and monitoring projects, with an emphasis on migratory shorebird populations. He is a Researcher at the Millennium Institute for Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE) and collaborates with a broad national and international network, also linked to BiRD EyES.

Favorite bird: Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)

He obtained his PhD at the University of Bath (UK) studying sex-specific mortality causes in wild birds. Today he is dedicated more broadly to sex-specific patterns in wild birds, from migrations to immunity, with special interest in exploring the scarcely described sexual dimorphism in Chilean birds. Much of his work has been done applying phylogenetic comparative methods and exploring the reproductive biology of shorebirds in the northern and southern hemispheres, maintaining active collaboration with international scientists.

Favorite bird: Rails (Rallidae)

Director of the Quempillén Experimental Station (Ancud, Chiloé) and lecturer at the ICML. Nationally recognized ornithologist, he has dedicated his life to the generation and dissemination of knowledge oriented towards nature conservation, with special emphasis on birds and mammals of marine ecosystems and wetlands. His areas of interest also include the study of introduced species and their ecological impacts, as well as wildlife observation as a Special Interest Tourism activity and as a tool for conservation. Wildlife artist and illustrator, he has designed and produced numerous outreach and environmental education materials; among his publications are books such as: "Birds of Chile – Its Oceanic Islands and Antarctic Peninsula", "Sharks, Rays and Chimeras of Chile", "Birds of Prey of Chile" and the "Field Guide to Marine Birds and Mammals of Southern Chile".

Favorite bird: Any plover, and the Patagonian Tyrant (Colorhamphus parvirostris)

She has been part of the laboratory since 2024, where she conducted her undergraduate thesis focused on developing a protocol with molecular techniques for the detection of gastrointestinal parasites in shorebirds. Currently, she works as a laboratory technician, participating in systematic field campaigns with passerines and shorebirds. Her interests focus on the ecology and evolution of bird migration, and she is currently applying for a PhD to study the divergence of shorebird migratory strategies using genomic and phylogenetic approaches.

Favorite bird: Sanderling (Calidris alba)

She has been part of the laboratory since 2016, where she completed her undergraduate thesis exploring the effects of antibiotic residues on the microbiota of the Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica). She is currently working on her doctoral thesis, studying different approaches to the phenomenon of oversummering in migratory shorebirds in the Southern Cone of South America. Her research interests focus on population ecology, migratory behavior, and bird responses to different environmental contexts. She has experience in capturing and handling birds for research and is a certified banding assistant from the North American Banding Council (NABC), regularly participating in banding and monitoring campaigns for shorebirds and passerines.

Favorite bird: American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Javiera's academic interest focuses on bird ecology and ecophysiology, particularly migratory shorebirds. Her undergraduate thesis addressed the physiological responses of the Black-necked Swan to the arrival of a new predator, and she is currently developing her master's thesis on the parasitic ecology of the Hudsonian Godwit in Chiloé, incorporating molecular techniques and evaluating changes between contrasting periods during wintering.

Favorite bird: Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula)

Sofía is interested in the functional dimensions of biodiversity and its application in land-use planning. She is currently developing her undergraduate thesis evaluating the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and disservices provided by Chilean avifauna, integrating ecological niche modeling and functional traits to identify priority management zones under anthropization gradients.

Favorite bird: Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Benjamín is interested in the behavior and social dynamics of birds, especially the Pelecaniformes group, as well as organism-environment interactions and how physiological traits are modified in response to differences in environmental conditions. He is currently developing his undergraduate thesis on the reproductive ecology of the Cocoi Heron, focused on the behavioral and phenological description of the breeding season.

Favorite bird: Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata)

He has always been interested in field work with birds. His research line currently studies the diet and trophic niche of the Andean Storm-petrel.

Favorite bird: Juan Fernández Firecrown (Sephanoides fernandensis)

Paz is interested in ecology and the study of natural systems from an integrative perspective. During her professional internship, she participates in activities related to ecological analysis and work with scientific information, strengthening skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation applied to environmental issues.