Laboratorio de Ecología y Morfometría Evolutiva
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Welcome to my website, in this place you can read all the aspect of my research and other stuff, my principal effort devoted to study the ecological an evolutionary patterns of morphological diversification in insects, exploring the way in which morphological variation occurs, which is the evolutionary origin.
News 2025
October - Four New Doctoral Students Join EME Lab!
We are delighted to announce that four new students have been accepted to begin their doctoral training at Universidad Andrés Bello, following a highly competitive selection process.
Daniela Ahumada, Isabel Lobos, and Thania Acuña will join the PhD in Conservation Medicine, while Diego Gutiérrez will start his journey in the PhD in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology.
Their research will combine geometric morphometric tools and an integrative phenomic perspective, bridging phenotypic and genomic approaches to explore extreme environments and the biological mysteries of southern South America through diverse model organisms. Each of them will bring fresh perspectives to the study of form, adaptation, and biodiversity over the next four years.
The selection process was rigorous, and we are pleased to welcome such a committed group of researchers passionate about science. To those who applied but were not selected, we extend our sincere recognition and encouragement to continue preparing for future opportunities.
We warmly congratulate those who begin this new challenge today and welcome them to EME Lab, where rigorous science and the passion for discovery continue to guide our work.
August - Congratulation Dra. Ingrid Alvial
We proudly celebrate the recent appointment of Ingrid Alvial, former postdoctoral researcher at EME Lab, as a faculty member at the Institute of Entomology, UMCE. This achievement reflects the talent and commitment of our community, which continues to grow and strengthen its presence in the national academic sphere. Congratulations, Ingrid!
EME LAB participation in Tucuman, Argentina, CLEVOL II
Our lab participated in the II Latinoamerican Congress of Evolution, held in Tucumán, Argentina, during the last week of July 2025. We presented work on morphometrics, orcas, invasive species in Antarctica, and much more
Visiting EME LAB First Semester 2025
During the first semester of 2025, the EME Lab hosted two notable international research stays. Dr. Erika Calla, who visited between March and April, developed a project integrating geometric morphometrics in beetles with environmental chemistry, strengthening the link between morphology and behaviour. Additionally, we welcomed PhD student Dr. Luis Flores from Ecuador, who is currently learning and applying geometric morphometrics to study bivalves associated with mangrove ecosystems, focusing on the effects of fishing pressure on these species.
BREAKING NEWS EME LAB
MARCH 2025
With great excitement, we share important news for our team and the scientific community: Starting April 1st, our director, Dr. Hugo Benítez, will assume a new academic position as a professor at the One Health Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andrés Bello, in Santiago.
This significant step marks a new stage for EME Lab (Laboratory of Ecology and Evolutionary Morphometrics), expanding its horizons by opening a new workspace in Santiago, where we will continue conducting cutting-edge scientific research with the passion and excellence that have always defined us.
We leave behind the city of Talca and Universidad Católica del Maule, an institution where we grew academically, faced rewarding challenges, and deeply learned about the importance of research at every level. We are confident this new chapter will further elevate our research, strengthening the laboratory's impact and reach.
We sincerely thank the institution we leave behind for all the valuable lessons and experiences, and enthusiastically welcome Universidad Andrés Bello for giving us the opportunity to continue advancing science from Chile's capital.
We look forward to welcoming new students and colleagues interested in joining EME Lab during this exciting new phase in Santiago!
July 2023
Giving the Plenary Talk of the International Congress of Biology of Butterflies in Prague, an amazing experience
https://www.bob2023.cz/plenary-speakers/
Courses / Cursos
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External Research Associate Cambridge University Museum of Zoology
External Research Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb
Biologist MSc in Zoology
PhD Evolutionary Biology - University of Manchester