Hierarchy: Full Professor
Working day: Complete 44 hours
Academic degrees:
Ph.D. (1995) Oxford University, UK.
Degree in Biology (1989) Universidad de Chile. Chile.
Laboratory:Evolutionary Behavioral Ecology.
Contact: F: 2978-7385; Email: rvasquez@uchile.cl
Research Line: Evolutionary Behavioral Ecology
Brief review of research line:
Our research focuses on behavioral and reproductive adaptations in wild animals, with the aim of understanding phenotypic variation at the intra-specific level, often extending our studies to physiological, morphological and genetic aspects. We study native species of Chile, including two bird species, Aphrastura spinicauda (rayadito) and Zonotrichia capensis, and the native rodent Octodon degusAreas of current research include (i) geographic variation on behavior and life histories, (ii) use of marginal habitats within the geographic distribution, (iii) the influence of climatic extremes, including altitudinal and latitudinal ones, and (iv) the influence of environmental adjustments on reproductive behavior and immunocompetence. On laboratory research, we assess operant conditioning behavior and decision making. Our fieldwork research occurs all over Chile.
Academic Portfolio:
https://www.uchile.cl/portafolio-academico/perfilAcademico.jsf?username=rvasquez
Links:
https://ciencias.uchile.cl/ciencias/21%20ciencia_para_todos_rvasquez_video.html
https://scholar.google.cl/citations?user=QitqqfkAAAAJ&hl=es
Research and Outreach Activities:
Interview in newspaper Las Ultimas Noticias, in section El Día: “Scientists study a mammal that it does not age: the naked-mole-rat”, page 15, February 25th, 2018. Journalist: Bárbara Núñez. Available on-line en:
https://www.lun.com/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?dt=2018-02-25&PaginaId=16&bodyid=0
Interview in newspaper Las Ultimas Noticias, in section Sociedad: “Research concludes that Farellones has the super Rufous-collared Sparrow in Chile: larger and stronger” page 22, May 31, 2016. Journalist: Teresa Vera.
Interview for north American journal Popular Science, about published paper (Grossi et al. 2014). https://www.popsci.com/science
(appearing during the next weeks)