Diana Ameyalli Hernández-Márquez
Researcher in pollinator ecology, specializing in the impact of pesticides and climate change on wild bees and their conservation.
I am currently pursuing a PhD in Terrestrial Ecology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and CREAF as part of the GEIP (Ecology of Pollinator Insects Research Group). My research focuses on how pesticides and climate change interact to affect wild bees, two of the major drivers of global pollinator decline. I also study bee nutrition and the impacts of agricultural practices on pollinator communities.
My passion for bees goes back to my BSc in Biology where I studied plant-pollinator interactions and the community changes during wet and dry season as well as pollinator assemblages in nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and sustainability projects. After that during my MSc in Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology I studied the effects of climate change on bee behaviour, focusing on Halictus rubicundus, a species that has the capacity to be either solitary or social depending on the climate!
Before starting my PhD, I was the in-house entomologist for a UK consultancy, contributing to conservation projects involving European protected species and biodiversity net gain. My research aims to provide scientific evidence that improves pesticide risk assessment, supports more sustainable farming practices, and helps conserve pollinators, which are essential for biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and global food security.
Beyond research, I am passionate about science communication and enjoy sharing the fascinating world of bees with people of all ages. Outside academia, I love wild swimming, dancing, practising slackline, and exploring the mountains whenever I have the chance.
