Andrés Moreira-Mendieta

Research assistant

Education:

M.Sc. Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador

B.Sc. Biology

Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador

Contact:

Profile:

I am interested in the ecology of marine megafauna, and in understanding and mitigating increasing anthropogenic impacts. In recent years, I have led research projects to evaluate the level of exposure of Galapagos sea lions to microplastic pollution in different bioregions of the archipelago. For this, I am implementing different techniques to quantify existing polymers in the diet of this species, and determine their influence on populations subject to different types of human impact. Thereby, we contribute to the knowledge of the species, as well as to decision-making related to its conservation, protection, and management. These investigations are complemented with trophic studies, which will allow us to understand the dynamics of these contaminants in the food web of the Galapagos ecosystems.