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

RL7

Dra. Marcela Astorga

Adjunct Researcher

Biography

Dr. Marcela Astorga Opazo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Concepción, Chile.

Throughout her academic career, she has taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels and has supervised undergraduate theses as well as master’s and doctoral dissertations.

She has extensive experience in research, having served as principal investigator and co-investigator in a wide range of projects, including FONDECYT, FONDEF IDEA, CORFO Innova, FIPA, and regional FIC initiatives.

She has published books, book chapters, and a large number of scientific articles in high-impact journals. She is currently a member of the FAO Advisory Committee as an expert for Latin America and the Caribbean in the Aquatic Genetic Resources group.

She has served as Undergraduate Program Director and, at the graduate level, as Director of the Ph.D. Program in Aquaculture Sciences. Until recently, she held the position of Director of the Graduate School at the Puerto Montt campus and was a member of the Central Doctoral Committee and the Central Appointment and Promotion Committee.

Her research focuses on evolutionary genetics, with a specialization in population genetics of aquatic organisms using molecular markers.

Degrees and Academic Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of Concepción.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

Selected Projects

  • 2026–2027. FIPA 2025-06. “Determination of concentration levels and chemical speciation of organic and inorganic arsenic in bivalve mollusks and macroalgae of commercial importance for human consumption.” Principal Investigator.
  • 2025–2035. CeTEC Los Lagos Circular Economy Technological Center (CORFO). Co-Investigator.
  • 2024–2025. Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Compilation and systematization of proposals for a General Aquaculture Law for Chile.” Principal Investigator.
  • 2023–2024. FIPA 2023-01. Characterization and ecological and genetic assessment of natural mussel banks and their contribution to larval availability for seed collection activities, Stage 1: Reloncaví Fjord and the municipalities of Hualaihué and Castro. Co-Investigator.
  • 2022–2023. FIPA 2022-24. Development of a strategy to implement in Chile the Global Plan of Action for the conservation, sustainable use, and development of aquatic genetic resources (AqGR) for food and agriculture in aquaculture and fisheries. Principal Investigator.
  • 2022–2023. FIPA 2021-36. “Study of the ecology, governance, and management of sea anemones of the genus Metridium in Maullín and Carelmapu (Los Lagos Region).” Co-Investigator.