CRETUS STAFF

Olalla Lorenzo Carballa

Assistant Professor
Department: Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology
Centre: Faculty of Biology
Research Group: Biodiversidad, Biogeografía y Conservación Integrativa (BiBiCI)
Phone.: +34 881 813276
Email: olalla.lorenzo.carballa@usc.es

I am an evolutionary biologist with a broad interest in the taxonomy, evolution and conservation of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), a group of insects of great importance as indicators in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. My research takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining field and laboratory experiments with the application of molecular techniques, genetic and bioinformatic analyses.
Most of my research career has focused on the study of Ischnura hastata, the only known case of parthenogenesis in odonates. Furthermore, I have maintained numerous scientific collaborations with national and international researchers with whom I share a common interest in the taxonomy, conservation and evolutionary biology of this animal group, resulting in over 40 scientific publications. I completed my PhD on the reproductive biology of Ischnura hastata at the University of Vigo (2009), funded by an FPI grant. In 2014, I secured a postdoctoral position funded by the Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowships programme to work at the University of Liverpool. I have also been a postdoctoral researcher at the universities of A Coruña and Vigo and have visited several international laboratories in Mexico, Germany and the United States. In 2022, I joined the USC as a senior research technician in the Biodiversity, Biogeography and Integrative Conservation (BiBiCI) research group, and since 2024 I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology.
I have supervised two PhD students (University of Oriente, Cuba, and University of Vigo), and I have teaching experience in both formal (Degree in Biology, Master in Terrestrial Biodiversity and Degree in Forestry Engineering) and informal (Senior University Programme) settings. I have also delivered workshops and seminars on professional development and project writing techniques, organised by the British Ecological Society.
I am the current president-elect of the Worldwide Dragonfly Association, an international organisation dedicated to research, conservation and public awareness regarding odonates. Furthermore, I participate regularly in science outreach activities, including talks and research workshops delivered on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, as well as in the Pontenciencia project, a science fair open to the public, organised by Pontevedra City Council in collaboration with FECYT.
Last, but not least, I am a mum in academia.

Research Lines

• Evolution of reproductive and mating systems in insects
• Systematics, phylogeny, and evolution of odonates
• Population genetics applied to the study and conservation of biodiversity
• Insect conservation and the use of odonates as indicators of environmental quality
• DNA-based biodiversity assessment (barcoding and metabarcoding)