Master’s student Paola Monguilod Brun from University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR) has been named one of two winners of the 15th edition of the GBIF Graduate Researchers Award.
Selected by an expert jury led by Enrique Martínez Meyer of the GBIF Science Committee, Monguilod has developed a research programme that investigates how climate change is intensifying the risks posed by invasive alien species (IAS)—and particularly invasive mammals—to human health.
IAS pose a significant threat to native ecosystems and a major economic risk across the world. As introduced species have in their native areas, they often alter the ecosystems in which they invade through the transmission of new parasites and diseases, competition, resource use and contamination, leading to devastating effects on native flora and fauna. Mammals in particular are potentially high-risk carriers of zoonotic diseases, as their close genetic relationship with humans increases the potential contagion.
Monguilod’s research uses data from the GBIF network to investigate the impact of eight invasive mammals that appear on the European Union’s list of IAS of concern. Recognizing that these taxa represent legally mandated priorities for management across the EU, her study aims to identify areas at highest risk of IAS invasion, revealing the threat for zoonotic diseases to emerge and spread across Europe under different climate scenarios.
"The data from the GBIF network was crucial for mapping disease hotspots and create a quantitative risk assessment tool," said Monguilod. "I hope this award brings greater attention to the significant risks that IAS pose to human health while encouraging stronger actions in public health and environmental management."
Monguilod also has developed a risk assessment tool believed to be the first of its kind, using GBIF-mediated data to assess and classify IAS according to their impacts on human health and create disease hotspot maps. By increasing understanding of the spread of zoonotic diseases, her research represents a framework for policymakers, ecologists and public health experts to utilize when preparing for and responding to the persistent threat of invasive species.
Nominated by the Spanish delegation to GBIF, Monguilod has established a strong academic record in the field of biotechnology at UNIZAR and has completed a Master’s in Biophysics and Quantitative Biotechnology, as well as six international research internships across Spain, Lithuania, Italy and France.
“Paola has demonstrated remarkable independence, analytical skills and dedication to her research,” said Dr Belinda Gallardo, principal investigator of the Ecological Restoration Group at the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC). “Her work stands out not only for its methodological rigor but also for its innovative integration of ecological and epidemiological data.”
Monguilod is the fourth Spanish national in a row a to receive the GBIF Graduate Researchers Award and fifth overall, following André Vicente Liz (nominated by GBIF Portugal in 2023), Armand Rausell Moreno (2022), Julen Torrens Baile (2021) and Nora Escribano (2017). She is also the fourth student nominated by GBIF Spain to win since the award’s inception.
"Paola Monguilod Brun has highlighted the critical role of invasive alien species play in the spread of zoonotic diseases by developing an innovative resource for prioritizing public health interventions: a quantitative risk assessment tool that ranks invasive alien species based on their health impacts," said Inmaculada Figueroa, Deputy Director-General for Institutional Relations and International Coordination at the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) and Head of Delegation for GBIF Spain. "Mapping disease hotspots through the integration of GBIF-mediated biodiversity data will greatly aid policymakers and health authorities, and her groundbreaking transdisciplinary approach sets a foundation for Paola's future contributions to ecological and public health research."
Monguilod shares the 2024 award with South African PhD student Ross Stewart from University of Johannesburg. Both award winners will receive a €5,000 prize in recognition of their research achievements.
About the University of Zaragoza
The University of Zaragoza is the public university of Aragon. Rooted in its society and committed to its development, UNIZAR is a creator of culture, a promoter of thought and a driving force of economic progress. Learn more.
About Pyrenean Institute of Ecology
The Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC, for the Spanish Instituto Pirenaico de Ecologia) is one of the 24 natural resources research centres of the National Research Council of Spain (CSIC, for the Spanish Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas). Headquartered in Jaca (Huesca) and Zaragoza, IPE’s mission is to understand the mechanisms underlying global change and its impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems with the ultimate goal to guide conservation and restoration actions. Learn more.
About the Award
The GBIF Graduate Researchers Award (formerly Young Researchers Award) is an annual scholarship programme that promotes and encourages innovation in biodiversity-related research using data shared through the GBIF network. Since bestowing its first awards in 2010, the programme has recognized outstanding achievements in original biodiversity research by more than two dozen Master’s and PhD students around the world.
Jury for 2024 Graduate Researchers Award
- Enrique Martínez Meyer
Jury chair, GBIF Science Committee
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico - Marlon Cobos
University of Kansas, United States - Yoan Fourcade
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris (iEEES), France - Katie Irvine
Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), Australia