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INCAR²Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología, Conocimiento e Innovación · ANID — Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo

RL3

Dr. Cristian Gallardo Escárate

Principal Investigator

Biography

Dr. Gallardo-Escárate is a Marine Biologist from the Universidad Católica del Norte and holds a PhD in Aquaculture from CICESE (Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada), Baja California, Mexico (2005).

In 2006, he joined the University of Concepción, where he has led the Aquaculture Biotechnology and Genomics Laboratory, specializing in genomic studies of marine organisms. In 2012, Dr. Gallardo-Escárate became Deputy Director of the INCAR Center of Excellence, funded by ANID (formerly CONICYT) through the Fund for Priority Areas (FONDAP) program. Since 2026, he has served as Director of the CIA-INCAR² Center of Excellence at the University of Concepción.

He has published more than 201 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and delivered over 250 presentations at scientific meetings worldwide. Dr. Gallardo-Escárate is also a member of evaluation committees for European research projects in the field of marine biotechnology.

Degrees and Academic Qualifications

  • PhD in Science, Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology Program, Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada (CICESE), Baja California, Mexico.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Sciences, Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile.
  • Marine Biologist, Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile.

Selected Projects

  • 2024–2026. Molecular Tool for Monitoring Drug Sensitivity of Antiparasitic Products Against Sea Lice in the Salmon Industry. Project ID: ID24I10188. Funding: FONDEF. Principal Investigator.
  • 2023–2025. Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR). Project ID: 1523A0007. Funding: FONDAP. Principal Investigator.
  • 2021–2025. Dancing with the Genes: The Role of Topologically Associated Domains (TADs) in Driving Non-coding/Coding RNA Interactions in Sea Lice Biology. Project ID: 1210852. Funding: FONDECYT. Principal Investigator.
  • 2021–2023. Center for Oceanographic Research in the Eastern South Pacific, COPAS Sur-Austral (COASTAL). Project ID: FB21002. Funding: PIA. Principal Investigator.
  • 2018–2021. Beyond Proteins, Genes and Mutations: The Hidden Non-coding Nature of Drug Resistance in Sea Lice. FONDECYT N°1180867. Director.
  • 2017–2020. Inner-shelf Regimes of Hypoxia in an Upwelling Region: Spatial Heterogeneity and Implications for Coastal Benthic Ecology. FONDECYT Nº1161512. Principal Investigator.
  • 2017–2019. FONDECYT Postdoctoral Project 3170152. Risk factors and determinants of infestation by Caligus rogercresseyi; evaluation of antiparasitic treatments. (Dr. Cristian Gallardo, PI).
  • 2017–2019. FONDEF IDeA Project (Two Stages). Use of olive extract rich in hydroxytyrosol as a feed additive for Seriola lalandi. Co-Principal Investigator.
  • 2017–2019. FIE 2015-V014-SERNAPESCA. CaligusLIFE: Excellence research on Caligus rogercresseyi biology and applications for caligidosis control in the salmon industry. Director.
  • 2017–2018. Technological Contract 17COTE-72396. Veterinary Aquaculture Pharmacology (FAV S.A. and University of Concepción). Principal Investigator.
  • 2017. FONDECYT ID16I10453. Olive extract rich in hydroxytyrosol as a dietary additive in Seriola lalandi. Principal Investigator.
  • 2015–2018. Some Like It Hot: Impact of Thermal Choice on Disease Susceptibility in Fish. FONDECYT N°1150585. Co-Principal Investigator.
  • 2015–2018. Role of microRNAs during ontogenetic development of Caligus rogercresseyi. FONDECYT N°1150077. Principal Investigator.
  • 2015–2018. Health Management Program in Aquaculture, FIE 2015-V014. Caligus Reference Laboratory – SERNAPESCA, Chile. Principal Investigator.
  • 2014–2018. Genomic diversity and structure in Mytilus chilensis and Pyura chilensis. FONDECYT N°1140862. Principal Investigator.
  • 2014–2017. FONDECYT Postdoc 3140183. Metatranscriptomic modulation of pre- and probiotic diets in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Sponsor.
  • 2014–2016. FONDECYT N°3140257. Pre- and probiotic dietary effects in rainbow trout under intensive aquaculture. Principal Investigator.
  • 2013–2016. Molecular evolution of rainbow trout populations under aquaculture influence. FONDECYT N°1130807. Principal Investigator.
  • 2013–2016. Population genetics of monogenean parasites in Seriola lalandi. FONDECYT. Principal Investigator.
  • 2013–2015. FONDECYT Postdoctoral Project 3130446. miRNA expression and SNP identification in gonadal maturation of rainbow trout. Principal Investigator.
  • 2012–2017. FONDAP N°1510027. Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR). Deputy Director.
  • 2012–2015. InnovaChile CORFO Project 12IDL2-15119. Myostatin-inhibiting vaccine to enhance red abalone growth. Director.
  • 2012–2014. Latitudinal variability and ecological break in central-northern Chile. FONDECYT 1120896. Co-Principal Investigator.
  • 2012–2014. Innate immune response of bivalves to Alexandrium catenella. FONDECYT 1120397. Principal Investigator.
  • 2011–2014. FONDEF D09I1067. Hybrid abalone production biotechnology (Phase 2). Director.
  • 2011–2014. FONDEF D09I1065. Genomic management platform for benthic resources. Co-Principal Investigator.
  • 2010–2012. Genetic parentage identification in Concholepas concholepas for stock enhancement evaluation. GORE Coquimbo. Director.