Dr. Raúl de la Mata. He obtained his PhD in 2012 as a researcher at the Galician Biological Mission (CSIC) in the field of quantitative genetics and forest genetic improvement. His research focused on genealogical studies and "genotype x environment" interaction patterns in "maritime pine" using an extensive network of genetic testing. He also investigated interprocedural hybridization as a strategy to increase adaptation to water stress. From 2013 to 2015 he enjoyed a postdoctoral stay at the "Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology" (University of Montana, USA), focusing on the evolutionary commitments between growth and resistance to drought and growth and pest resistance taking advantage of the device experiences from the “powerful pine” improvement program in the northwestern US. From 2015 to 2017 he carried out a second postdoctoral stay in the "Forest Genetic Improvement Laboratory" (Universtiy of Ablerta, Canada), projecting on drought resistance in "twisted pine" and hybrid complexity with “pi jack”, in order to support operational forest genetic improvement programs in the province.
Both postdoctoral stays allowed him to combine his interest in applied forest genetic improvement with ecophysiological and mass phenotype techniques. In 2017 he joined the institute for agri-food research and technology (IRTA, Catalonia), where he is involved in various forest genetic improvement activities, designed in both the production of quality wood and fruit. He has published eight scientific articles in SCI indexed journals, two book chapters, and several publications in peer-reviewed and popular journals. The results of his research have been presented at numerous international and national conferences mainly as oral talks. He has taught at the University of Alberta and in vocational training modules, and has shared numerous courses, transfer seminars and seminars.
