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

RL5

Dr. Rodrigo M. Montes

Adjunct Researcher

Biography

Dr. Rodrigo Montes is a leading researcher in the fields of aquaculture and fisheries, whose work is grounded in a quantitative, problem-solving approach aimed at addressing challenges affecting these productive sectors. His research is characterized by a genuinely interdisciplinary perspective that integrates oceanography and statistics as core disciplines to advance the understanding of the ecological, environmental, and production processes shaping marine and coastal socioecological systems. Dr. Montes has contributed to the development of several research lines that share a common focus on the application of advanced analytical and modeling tools to solve complex problems affecting the salmon farming industry. Notable contributions include the development of epidemiological early warning indicators for the detection of sea lice ( Caligus rogercresseyi ) outbreaks, as well as the identification of epidemiological tipping points in areas with high infestation levels of this ectoparasite. He has also worked on quantifying critical thresholds associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their effects on salmon mortality and health deterioration in aquaculture systems. In parallel, he has conducted research on the impacts of salmon farming on the ecological health of marine and estuarine ecosystems in Chilean Patagonia, contributing to the quantitative assessment of the environmental, ecological, and production risks associated with this activity.

Degrees and Academic Qualifications

  • 2015 Ph.D. in Oceanography, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
  • 2004 M.Sc. in Fisheries Science, University of Concepción, Chile.
  • 1997 Marine Biologist, University of Concepción, Chile.
  • 1995 Bachelor's Degree in Marine Biology, University of Concepción, Chile.

Selected Projects

  • 2023-2026 Project Director and Researcher. Study of the Marine and Estuarine Ecological Subsystems of the Area Adjacent to the Horcones Complex in the Gulf of Arauco, Biobío Region. Gulf of Arauco Ecosystem Studies Program (PREGA), University of Concepción.
  • 2023-2025 Associate Researcher, Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), University of Concepción, Chile.
  • 2022-2023 Researcher. Risk Analysis as a Tool for the Prioritization of Secondary Environmental Quality Standards in the Main Tributary Rivers to the Fjord System of Northwestern Patagonia Under Hydrological Drought Scenarios. ANID Project FSEQ210030.
  • 2022 Researcher. Oceanographic Drivers of Marine Species Strandings in the Gulf of Arauco: Analysis and Development of Risk Indices. Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, University of Concepción.
  • 2017-2020 Postdoctoral Researcher. Anticipating Crises in Stressed Socio-Ecological Systems: Developing Fractal Early Warning Indicators for Aquaculture and Fisheries in Chile. FONDECYT Postdoctoral Project No. 3170529.
  • 2017-2018 Researcher. CaligusLIFE: Excellence Scientific Research for Understanding the Biology of Caligus rogercresseyi and Its Application to Caligidosis Control Strategies in the Salmon Industry. Project Code No. 201706070031, Aquaculture Health Management Program, FIE-2015-V014.
  • 2017-2018 Researcher. Systematization of Tacit and Explicit Knowledge to Promote Sustainable Aquaculture in the Biobío Region: An Approach Based on the Application of Fuzzy Logic. Regional Competitiveness Innovation Fund (FIC-R 2017), Regional Government of Biobío, University of Concepción.
  • 2014-2015 Associate Researcher, Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), FONDAP Project No. 15110027, University of Concepción.