Marcela Suarez-Rubio

Privatdozent Dr. Marcela Suarez-Rubio is a Senior Scientist at the Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), specializing in urban ecology, biodiversity research, and wildlife monitoring. Her work integrates landscape ecology, remote sensing, and conservation biology to study how land-use changes affect birds and bats in temperate and tropical regions. She has led projects in Austria, Myanmar, and Bhutan, focusing on habitat connectivity, urban green spaces, and endangered species conservation.

Education:

• PhD in Ecology, University of Maryland, USA (2011)
• MSc in Biology, University of Puerto Rico (2005)
• BSc in Biology, Universidad del Valle, Colombia (2000)

Research Themes:

• Urbanization gradients and their nonlinear effects on avian and bat communities
• Biodiversity assessment in remote areas like Hkakabo Razi National Park
• Telemetric and acoustic methods for wildlife monitoring
• Conservation strategies for critically endangered species (e.g., White-bellied Heron)
• Ecosystem management in agricultural and forested landscapes

Scientific Awards:

• ERASMUS+ Teaching Mobility (2022, 2018, 2017)
• National Parks Austria Research Award (2022)
• BOKU Teaching Award (2016)
• NASA-MSU Professional Enhancement Award (2011)
• Golden Key International Honour Society (2008)

Advising and Grants: Supervised 14 theses and secured funding from National Parks Austria, Austrian Academy of Sciences, and international organizations. Active in scientific peer-review (Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Journal of Urban Ecology) and conservation policy for UNESCO World Heritage nominations.