Fernando Martínez Freiría

I am an evolutionary biologist interested in the integrative understanding of phenotypic and genetic diversity and its application to conservation. I develop biogeographic research aimed to provide a better understanding of how evolutionary and ecological forces interact at distinct scales to produce the patterns of phenotypic and genetic variation that can be recognized in nature, and consequently, to identify threatening factors and anticipate conservation needs for biodiversity under anthropogenic change.

I frequently use ectotherms, particularly venomous snakes, as model organisms, relying on a strong fieldwork component, the compilation of data from scientific collections and the application of tools like phylogenetics, phylogeography, population genetics, venomics, multivariate statistics, GIS and ecological models to spatially integrate morphological, venomic, ecological, environmental and genetic information. 

My current research activities are focused on the functional study of morphological, physiological and venom traits of vipers to establish causal links between phenotypes and genotypes, and with the environment.