Lorena Romero Martínez, PhD

What’s the work that you do?

I am a marine ecologist specialising in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic fish fauna. My research employs molecular tools to explore ecological and evolutionary questions and to inform ecosystem-based management of Antarctic marine living resources. I am an expert in Antarctic larval fish identification and have extensive field experience, including working closely with penguin colonies to conduct population censuses. I have also contributed to the management of krill and toothfish fisheries, including bycatch assessment. I am deeply passionate about conservation, ecology, and evolution.

What keeps you going?

I love fish; the sheer diversity of shapes, behaviours, and ecological requirements always fills me with awe. These often misunderstood, “less charismatic” animals can teach us so much about the environment they inhabit. I enjoy doing fieldwork and feel truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work and experience pristine places such as Antarctica and the Galápagos. Lastly, I believe that our work as scientists can help motivate and inspire the wider public to inquire and learn more about the natural world, and how together we can care for and protect it.

What’s your message to the world?

Our well-being relies on the natural world, from the walks we take in parks to the oceans that feed us and provide the oxygen we need. All species are intrinsically valuable and part of a larger system that sustains life on Earth. We should endeavour to understand, connect with, and care for it. The polar regions are experiencing rapid changes due to climate change, including rising sea levels, melting ice shelves, and altered ocean circulation. These changes highlight the global importance of these regions, as, for example, Antarctic ecosystems play a key role in climate regulation and carbon cycling. This is crucial now and for future generations, who will face the long-term consequences of polar ecosystem disruption.