Lorenzo Pérez Rodríguez

My research can be framed in the interface between behavioural ecology and ecophysiology. I am particularly interested in the physiological mechanisms mediating individual trade-offs and processes in an evolutionary context. In other words, my research is aimed at explaining the evolutionary processes (ultimate causes) that shape individual phenotypes and behaviours by focusing on the key mechanisms (proximate causes) that underlie these traits. In this context, I am particularly interested in the physiological pathways regulating the honesty of social signals.

Taking birds as models, my work is focused in the study of coloured traits as a signals of individual quality, paying special attention to carotenoid-based traits (what determines their expression? what is their relationship with the immune and antioxidant system? do carotenoid pigments play a significant role as antioxidants?). More recently, I have started exploring the informative content of complex visual patterns. Also, in the framework of individual trade-offs, my research is focused in the role of oxidative stress in life history traits (what factors –both internal and external- increase oxidative stress? How does oxidative stress impact individual fitness?), studying these effects from early development to adulthood.

I received my first degree in Biology in the University of Córdoba, where I was awarded with the Special Price for the Best Academic Qualifications (year 2002). In 2003 I joined the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), a research institute belonging to the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) thanks to a predoctopral grant. In 2007 I finished my PhD, which was awarded with the Special Price for the Best PhD in Experimental and Health Sciences in the UCLM. After that I enjoyed different postdoc contracts at the University of Aberdeen (UK) (2007-2009), Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC) in Madrid (2009-2012), Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO) in Portugal (2013), Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC) in Seville (2013-2017) and IREC (2017-2021). Between 2021 and 2024 I enjoyed a Lecturer position at the University of Castilla -La Mancha at the IREC, Ciudad Real (Spain). Since 2025 I am Researcher (CSIC) at the IREC.