Associate Professor Andrés Rigual Hernandez conducts three main lines of research. His first main research area focuses on the ecology and diversity of modern and fossil Southern Ocean microplankton. He is also interested in assessing the role of microplankton in biogeochemical cycles and evaluating the response of phytoplankton communities to environmental changes, with particular emphasis on the impact of ocean acidification. To carry out this work he combines analysis of water, sediment trap and marine sediment samples retrieved in regions representative of key Southern Ocean ecosystems.

Andrés’ previous positions include: Senior Lecturer and Lecturer at the University of Salamanca, Marie-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Australian Antarctic Division at Macquarie University, Scientific Manager at the University of Azores and Scientific Advisor at Xavier University in the Philippines. He has been involved in the production of a significant number of publications in high impact journals within the areas of marine biogeosciences, plankton ecology and palaeontology. He is a frequent reviewer for manuscripts in high-end scientific journals, including Nature, Nature Communications, Global Biogeochemical Cycles and Biogeosciences, among others. He is also an active participant in outreach and dissemination activities.