My PhD program is focused on the study of non genetic causes associated with the adoption of alternative life histories (residency vs. anadromy) in salmonids. The objective of this project is to identify juvenile development trajectories and critical moments related with the adoption of life history types, through physiological parameters, establishing the effects of environmental factors and maternal origin.

This project involves seasonal surveys of hydrological and biological variables across the longitudinal gradient of Santa Cruz River. In order to establish the physiological condition of individual fish, I plan using various laboratory techniques, such as diet analysis, lipid content estimation, and stable isotopes analysis. Data analysis will be performed by applying multivariate statistical methods and GLMs, which I expect will provide the building blocks of a conceptual model for the proximate causes of partial migration in Santa Cruz River rainbow trout.

Prior to this PhD program, my contribution to GESA was an analysis of some of the potential causes leading to the success/failure of particular exotic anadromous salmonids to establish populations in Patagonian rivers. This research was the focus of my Undergraduate Thesis at the Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco.

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