Pablo Saenz-Agudelo

Molecular Ecologist – Population genomics and environmental DNA

Role at Cawthron

Pablo is a molecular ecologist in the Biosecurity group at Cawthron. As part of the Molecular Surveillance Team, he focuses on developing and applying diverse molecular tools for marine biodiversity and invasive species monitoring. His research interests lie at the intersection of ecology and evolution, utilising advanced molecular tools to address both fundamental and applied questions about the functioning and evolution of coastal marine ecosystems. Pablo’s career, including nine years in the university sector, has taken him across Europe, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Chile, where he collaborated with diverse researchers, agencies, and students. His expertise encompasses marine population genomics, bioinformatics, metabarcoding, environmental DNA, science communication and education.

Technical skills, experience and interests

• Bioinformatics and molecular data analysis.
• Population genetics and genomics.
• Environmental DNA and metabarcoding.
• Mentoring early career scientists and students.

Qualifications

• PhD Marine Biology, James Cook University, Australia, and École Pratique des Hautes Études, France, 2011

• MSc, Oceanography and Marine Environment, University Pierre et Marie Curie – Sorbonne, France, 2007

• BSc, Biology, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia, 2004

Professional Affiliations

• Associate editor for Ecology and Evolution