Álvaro Peláez Pérez

Predoctoral Researcher

Álvaro holds a degree in Biology from the University of Granada (2023) and is currently enrolled in the Master’s program in Mediterranean Greenhouse Horticulture at the University of Almería. His passion for nature and ambition for sustainability are reflected in his long-term goal: contributing to the development of a sustainable territorial management model based on biodiversity conservation and the creation of a territorial identity closely connected to nature and its benefits.

During his studies, he collaborated with Prof. Dr. Francisca Ruano (UGR) and researcher Estefanía Rodríguez (IFAPA) in their research on semi-arid natural habitats surrounded by intensive crops, with a particular focus on the habitat remnants of Maytenus senegalensis subsp. europaea in the Campo de Dalías region (Almería). His main objective was to highlight the ecosystem services that these natural spaces offer to surrounding intensive agricultural landscape in order to foster synergies with conservation-driven measures. This line of research has been central to both his Bachelor's Thesis "Sentinel plant sampling to assess the effect of habitat proximity on biological control in protected horticulture." and his Master's Thesis "Biodiversity and biological control patterns" (ongoing).

Currently, Álvaro holds a research contract linked to the AdapGreenAI project, titled Bridging barriers in the adoption of an AI-powered pest early-warning network in greenhouses for Climate Change adaptation, under the guidance of Dr. Juan Miguel Requena (PI). The project focuses on enhancing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies through AI-driven solutions to monitor pest populations in greenhouse environments. This project serves as the foundation for Álvaro's future doctoral thesis and connects him with the SociECOS Lab team.