David Sanchez Fernandez

David Sanchez Fernandez is a Research Fellow (Ramón y Cajal program) at Universidad de Murcia's Faculty of Biology, specializing in aquatic and subterranean ecology within the Department of Ecology and Hydrology. He leads the Aquatic Ecology research group, focusing on biodiversity conservation under climate change pressures.

He completed his PhD in 2008 on the use of Iberian aquatic beetles in biodiversity conservation, supervised by Dr. Andrés Millán Sánchez and Dr. Ignacio Ribera Galán. His research spans groundwater ecosystem conservation, climate adaptation in subterranean species, and invasive species management in Mediterranean freshwater systems.

Recent publication trends (2018-2024) emphasize:

• Global assessments of subterranean ecosystem vulnerability to climate change
• Conservation policy development for groundwater habitats
• Thermal adaptation limits in aquatic insects
• Priority area identification for freshwater biodiversity protection
• Impacts of environmental change on Iberian endemic species

Awards:

• Ramón y Cajal Fellowship