Xaali O'Reilly Berkeley
Postdoctoral researcher at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona & CREAF
I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona & CREAF (Catalunya), where I am using sedimentary ancient DNA to investigate ecosystem changes on islands over time with Dr Sandra Nogué (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) and Dr Inger G. Alsos (The Arctic University Museum of Norway). For my PhD, I studied plant genotype effects on associated microbial and invertebrate communities, using epiphytic bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) and false-bird-of-paradise plants (Heliconiaceae) as models in the hyperdiverse rainforest of Ecuador.
Common techniques used throughout my various research projects have included tropical field work, tree-climbing, metabarcoding, microsatellite development, processing sequencing data, and statistical analysis.
MORE GENERALLY...
More generally...
With broad interests that span the various disciplines within ecology and evolutionary biology, I am particularly interested in the processes that structure ecosystems and biotic interactions.
The diversity and inherent complexity of tropical forests appeal to me especially, and I have over seven years of field experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Andean cloud forest, as well as a smattering of experience in Malagasy littoral forest, Western-Mediterranean terrestrial habitats, and Polish primeval forest.
Education
Education
2022 - PhD Ecological genetics of habitat-forming plants
Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
2014 - BSc (Hons) Zoology with industrial experience
University of Manchester, United Kingdom
2009 - Batxillerat LOGSE Ciències naturals i de la salut
I.E.S. Joan Ramon Benaprés, Catalunya
Work Experience
Work Experience
2023 - now - Postdoctoral researcher
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Spain
2023 - Specialist technician
Centre for Genomic Regulation, Spain
2018 - 2022 - Associate director
Timburi Cocha Research Station, Ecuador
2018 - 2021 - Teaching assistant & webmaster
Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
2016 - 2018 - Research assistant & webmaster
Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
2014 - 2016 - Research technician
University of Manchester, United Kingdom
2012 -2013; 2014 - 2018 - Researcher & communications coordinator
Timburi Cocha Research Station, Ecuador (on- and off-site)
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching assistant, various biology and data analysis courses - 2018-2022
Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Field course assistant, Tropical Ecology (Ecuador) - 2017, 2018, 2019
Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Field course assistant, Field techniques (Poland) - 2019
Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Field course assistant, Tropical Ecology (Ecuador) - 2013, 2015, 2016
University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Field course assistant, Comparative and Adaptive Biology (Mallorca) - 2016
Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Undergraduate lectures - Examples: History of San José de Payamino; Conservation and communities; Bromeliad ecology
Amphibian husbandry training for undergraduate and A-level students
University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Trained graduate teaching assistant for undergraduate laboratory practicals
University of Manchester, United Kingdom
