Nico Rivas

I am a dedicated marine ecologist and PhD candidate with a passion for understanding and preserving coral reef ecosystems. My research focuses on the functional ecology of benthic communities, investigating how coral population dynamics, trait space and community composition respond to environmental changes over time. Using advanced analytical tools, like hypervolume analysis and multivariate statistics, with field data on coral, algae, and sea urchins to explore the intricate dynamics of these ecosystems. Through this work, I aim to uncover the drivers of ecological change and inform conservation strategies. I hope to address critical challenges in seascape ecology and marine conservation with a hands-on approach and a curiosity for integrating new methods.

I am conducting my research under the supervision of Dr. Rolando O. Santos-Corujo.