My research aims at delivering critical evidence to (1) inspire and educate the next generation of researchers (now undergraduate and postgraduate students; see teaching section), (2) improve practice amongst practitioners (especially in ecosystem restoration and agriculture), (3) inform decision making amongst policy makers, and (4) achieve greater awareness amongst the public (outreach and pop science articles).
Public activities
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Emakumeak Zientzian 2025 (Making women scientists visible) | Santurzi, Spain | Feb 2025 |
| 1ª edición de Be Zientzia (Science fair with school students) | Bilbao, Spain | Oct 2024 |
| Biodiversity ‘Txoko’ with school students | Bilbao, Spain | Dec 2023 |
| Tenafly Middle School Project | New Jersey, USA | 2024 |
| Exposing science to school students | France | 2017-2019 |
| Science workshop | Moulis, France | Mar 2018 |
| European Researcher’s Night: Bristol Bright Night | Bristol, UK | Sept 2014 |
| Mainstreaming Biodiversity Workshop: Defining biodiversity | Bristol, UK | Oct 2014 |
Research accessibility and articles in journals for a wider audience
I am committed to share my work with a broad audience. This is why 91% of my research is free to read online (top 1% of researchers worldwide). Besides, I have contributed to scientific divulgation by writing articles in journals for a wider audience:
- Reaction to Anadón & Sala (2026) Link1 Link2
- Reaction to COP16 Biodiversity (2025) Link
- Reaction to Mendes et al (Science 2024) Link
- Montoya, D. (2023). Últimamente se hable mucho de microplásticos pero ¿sabemos qué son y a qué nos enfrentamos? Berria (newspaper) Link
- Montoya D. (2021). The impacts of climate change: From a butterfly’s microbiome to food security. Journal of Animal Ecology (blog series about UN Climate Change Conference – COP26) Link
- Montoya, D. (2019). The restoration of ecological networks: Spatial and temporal scales, stability and global change. Special issue on Restoring interactions. Ecosistemas 28(2): 11-19 Link
- Montoya D. (2009). Resistencia a la deforestación. Los beneficios de la dispersión de semillas por animales. Revista Investigación y Ciencia 390, 12-13 Link
- Montoya D. (2008). Habitat loss, dispersal, and the probability of extinction of tree species. Communicative & Integrative Biology 1:2, 146-147 Link
Media impact and social coverage (not updated)
- Radio interview (2025) (Hoy por Hoy Bilbao, con Azul Tejerina, Cadena SER). I al Cuadrado, investigación e innovación: Ecosistemas y chips made in Euskadi
- Hackett et al (2024) coverage: EITB (La mecánica del caracol)
- Interview about the impact of microplastics on ecosystems (2024): El Mundo
- McWilliams et al (2019) coverage: The Conversation, Yahoo! News, Newswise, Foreign Affairs New Zealand, Phys.org, EurekAlert!, Science Daily, University de Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier (french), Long Room, Institut écologie et environment (french), Environmental News Network
- Jones et al (2018) coverage: ScienceNewsline, ScienceDaily, EurekAlert!, N-TV (german), Phys.org, IUCN. Recommended in F1000 Prime
- IUCN news of Meli et al (2017)
- Meli et al (2017) coverage: Firstpost., National Observer, SFGate, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The Conversation
- Research mentioned in 5 Wikipedia articles! (Restoration Ecology and Frugivore page)
- Podcast talking about Montoya et al (2008): Science
- NASA and American Museum of Natural History coverage of Montoya et al (2008)
- Montoya et al (2008) coverage: RTVE, ABC, Diario Publico, UAH.es, SINC, Universe (spanish), EurekAlert!, EcoDiario, Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos, madri+d
- Hawkins et al (2007): Recommended in F1000Prime
Basic & Applied Ecology Lab 