What drew you to the research topic you explored in your submission?

I consider the Kentish Plover a flagship species for coastal conservation, much like the Iberian Lynx became a symbol of Mediterranean ecosystem recovery. Despite being widely distributed across Eurasia and Africa, many of its populations are declining due to habitat loss, tourism pressure and climate change. For instance, in Spain the species is listed as in danger.

What fascinated me most is the paradox of this species: it lives at the interface between nature and intense human activity. It nests on beaches where thousands of people spend their holidays, yet it remains difficult to see.

Although its breeding ecology has been well studied, much less was known about its fine-scale movements and migratory performance. The opportunity to use cutting-edge GPS technology to reveal, for the first time, how such a small bird navigates vast landscapes was both a scientific challenge and a deeply human motivation for me.

How do you see your work contributing to public policy, citizen science, and/or science education more broadly?

High-resolution tracking provides detailed information on habitat use, stopover sites, and international migratory connections. This evidence is essential for designing effective conservation strategies, informing protected area management, and supporting cross-border policy coordination.

However, conservation cannot succeed through policy alone. Communicating scientific findings, especially to local communities, is fundamental. Coastal species like the Kentish Plover are our closest wild neighbours. If they are at risk, we carry a particular responsibility to ensure their survival. By engaging citizens through volunteer programs, awareness campaigns, and direct participation in monitoring efforts, protection becomes more effective and sustainable.

From a technological perspective, my research also contributes to advancing the application of ultra-light biologging devices for small species. Successfully documenting a full 5,000 km round-trip migration demonstrates that these tools can provide high-quality data while maintaining animal welfare standards. This progress benefits both researchers and students, expanding the possibilities of movement ecology for small-bodied species.

What are your continuing research goals for the future (near or far)? What topics, areas, subjects are you interested in exploring?

In the near term, I plan to continue my doctoral research on the Kentish Plover, expanding movement ecology analyses and exploring how climate change and tourism pressure influence breeding success and habitat selection. I am also interested in extending this work to other coastal birds, such as Little Terns, to understand shared vulnerabilities across species. Furthermore, I aim to promote commitment to conservation and environmental awareness among the general public, inspiring people to protect our coasts.

In the long term, I hope to contribute to the development of a coordinated conservation strategy for breeding shorebirds across Spanish beaches and wetlands. Such a plan should adopt a holistic perspective, integrating ecological dynamics, climate change projections, and patterns of human use. I strongly believe that conservation and responsible recreation must coexist, with people enjoying nature responsibly while allowing birds to successfully complete their life cycle.

Is there anything else you want to share about you or your research?

This research is the result of international collaboration across public and private institutions, particularly through the IBERALEX Project. I would also like to recognize the essential contribution of both international and local organizations that work alongside researchers to translate scientific knowledge into effective conservation strategies for the Kentish Plover. Their support bridges the gap between research and real-world action.

I am deeply grateful to the IBERALEX Project for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful initiative: one that I truly believe can generate lasting benefits for both science and biodiversity conservation.

Becoming a BioOne Ambassador allows me to amplify this message of international cooperation, evidence-based conservation, and coexistence along our coasts to a global audience. Science must be as transboundary as the species we study.