Man

Camila Patricia Villavicencio Reyes

Investigadora asociada

Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile

Líneas de Investigación


My research focuses on animal behavior, specifically the interactions among behavior, physiology, and the environment. I study mainly birds and small mammals, evaluating how contrasting Chilean environments affect wildlife.

Educación

  •  Licenciatura en Biologia, UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE. Chile, 2003
  •  Magister en Ciencias Ecologicas c/m Ecol. Evolutiva, UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE. Chile, 2006
  •  Doctor rerum naturalium, Ludwig - Maximilian Universität München. Alemania, 2015

Experiencia Académica

  •   Graduated PhD student Part Time

    Max Planck Institute for Ornithology

    2009 - 2015

  •   Postdoctorante Full Time

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

    Facultad de Ciencias

    Chile

    2016 - 2020

Experiencia Profesional

  •   Profesora biologia celular

    Universidad Central de Chile

    Chile

    2007 - 2009

  •   Profesora de Ecologia

    Universidad Central de Chile

    Chile

    2008 - 2009

  •   Profesora de Biologia celular

    Universidad de las Americas

    Chile

    2009 - 2009

  •   Ayudante de Biologia celular

    Universidad de Chile

    Chile

    2002 - 2002

  •   Ayudante Zoologia de Invertebrados

    Universidad de Chile

    Chile

    2002 - 2002

  •   Ayudante de Fisiolgia de sistemas

    Universidad de Chile

    Chile

    2003 - 2003

  •   Ayudante de Ecologia

    Universidad de Chile

    Chile

    2003 - 2003

  •   Profesora Coordinadora del curso de Conducta Animal Part Time

    Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias

    Chile

    2026 - At present

  •   Asistente de Investigación Part Time

    Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Artes

    Chile

    2025 - 2026

Formación de Capital Humano


I have completed a full academic training pathway, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral, with a solid trajectory in ecological research focused on fauna, behavior, and environmental interactions. I have participated in multiple research projects, developed independent lines of research, and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams.

I completed my PhD in Germany at the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich and the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology. My doctoral research examined the relationships among hormones, behavior, and environmental factors in a free-living European songbird. During this period, I acquired extensive experience in fieldwork, including behavioral observations, experimental design, bird capture and handling, and laboratory techniques in endocrinology and molecular biology for hormone and behavioral analyses. This experience also strengthened my ability to work in international environments and my proficiency in English.

I returned to Chile to conduct my postdoctoral research, where I consolidated my expertise in local ecosystems through intensive fieldwork. I focused on wild bird species, gaining in-depth knowledge of their behavior, ecological interactions, and responses to environmental variability. This work also contributed to my understanding of the contrast between biodiversity-rich environments and urban contexts, where wildlife is often overlooked.

In parallel, I have served as a lecturer at several universities, strengthening my teaching and communication skills. I promote experiential learning approaches, integrating field and laboratory activities to enhance student engagement and understanding.

Overall, my background combines strong research capacity, interdisciplinary collaboration, expertise in animal behavior and physiology, teaching experience, and knowledge of Chilean ecosystems. These competencies are directly relevant to the successful implementation of research projects that integrate ecological, behavioral, and educational approaches to promote the understanding and valuation of local biodiversity.


Difusión y Transferencia


I have actively engaged in disseminating and transferring scientific knowledge through interdisciplinary initiatives that connect biodiversity research with society.

The project “Sonidos con Alas” began as a podcast during the COVID-19 pandemic and evolved into an entrepreneurial initiative that promotes native biodiversity through products incorporating QR codes linked to bird songs recorded by me and educational content. This project has involved collaboration with journalists, artists, and designers, and is complemented by outreach through social media (@sonidosconalas).

I co-developed a project funded by the Ministry of the Environment (FPA, 2021) to create a green area in a vulnerable neighborhood in La Serena. This initiative required participatory work with the community, the municipality, and interdisciplinary teams, strengthening my skills in project management and stakeholder engagement. The project was presented at the 11th Urban Design Conference.

I have also contributed as a scientific advisor to the “Casa Anideras” project, collaborating in the development of educational materials and environmental education activities in partnership with the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB) and the Municipality of Providencia.

In addition, I have designed and conducted environmental education workshops, including birdwatching activities, for diverse audiences, promoting experiential learning and public engagement with urban biodiversity.

At the international level, I participate in the Gondwanan Ornithology Working Group of the International Ornithological Union, where I have served as co-chair and contributed to collaborative activities and scientific exchange.

Overall, my work integrates research, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration to promote the understanding and appreciation of biodiversity, particularly in urban contexts.


Premios y Distinciones

  •   Walter J. Bock Travel Fellowship

    International Ornithologists' Union

    Suráfrica, 2022

    Fellowship to assist to the virtual 28th IOCongress, 15 – 19 Aug 2022, SouthAfrica

  •   Best student paper award,

    MAX PLANCK SOCIETY

    Alemania, 2014

    Best student paper award, organizado por el International Max Plack Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology.

  •   DAAD Kongressreisen

    DEUTSCHE AKADEMISCHE AUSTAUSCHDIENST

    Chile, 2014

    Beca DAAD para asistir a congresos.Para asistir a: Society for General and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting 2014 January 3rd-7th, Austin, TX, US.


 

Article (14)

Corticosterone levels, leukocyte profiles, and foraging and diving behaviours of Humboldt penguins during chick rearing in Northern Chile
Perspectives on environmental heterogeneity and seasonal modulation of stress response in neotropical birds
Social interactions of wild granivorous birds towards experimental feeders in the semi-arid scrub of northern Chile
Neuroendocrine patterns underlying seasonal song and year-round territoriality in male black redstarts
Does a short-term increase in testosterone affect the intensity or persistence of territorial aggression? - An approach using an individual's hormonal reactive scope to study hormonal effects on behavior
Parental care, loss of paternity and circulating levels of testosterone and corticosterone in a socially monogamous song bird
Seasonal variations of basal cortisol and high stress response to captivity in Octodon degus, a mammalian model species
The number of life-history stages does not influence the androgen responsiveness to male-male interactions: Sedentary and migratory black redstarts (<i>Phoenicurus ochruros</i>) do not elevate testosterone in response to simulated territorial intrusions
Associated and disassociated patterns in hormones, song, behavior and brain receptor expression between life-cycle stages in male black redstarts, <i>Phoenicurus ochruros</i>
Experimental induction of social instability during early breeding does not alter testosterone levels in male black redstarts, a socially monogamous songbird
BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE SOUTHERN HOUSE WREN ON CHILOE ISLAND, SOUTHERN CHILE
Familiarity and phenotypic similarity influence kin discrimination in the social rodent Octodon degus
Inter-Population Variation in Hoarding Behaviour in Degus, Octodon degus
Undergraduate teaching of evolution in chile: more than natural selection

BookSection (1)

Bases endocrinas del comportamiento social

Review (1)

Austral birds offer insightful complementary models in ecology and evolution
4
Rodrigo Vásquez

profesor titular

Ciencias Ecológicas

IEB, DEPTO. CS. ECOL., FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS, UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

Santiago, Chile

1
Ricardo Cabrera

Assitant Pofessor

Biology

UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

Santiago, Chile

1
Guillermo Luna

Profesor Titular

Biología Marina

UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DEL NORTE / CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS AVANZADOS EN ZONAS ÁRIDAS CEAZA

Coquimbo, Chile

1
Pablo Henny

Profesor Asociado

Anatomía Normal

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Pablo Razeto

Researcher

CENTRO NACIONAL DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE

Santiago, Chile

1
Nelson Velásquez

Auxiliary Professor

Biology and Chemistry

Catholic University of the Maule

Talca, Chile

1
Luciano Caputo

Assistant professor

Institute of Marine and Limnology Science

UNIVERSIDAD AUSTRAL DE CHILE

Valdivia, Chile

1
Cristina Dorador

PROFESSOR

Biotechnology

UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTOFAGASTA

ANTOFAGASTA, Chile

1
Alexander Vargas

Profesor Asociado

Biología

Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Tomás Ossandón

Associate Professor

Medical School, Department of Psychiatry

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
David Rubilar

Curator

Museo Nacional de Historia Natural

Santiago, Chile

16
Camila Villavicencio

Investigadora asociada

Departamento de Ciencias Ecologicas

Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Jaime Martinez

Investigador

Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, INIA - La Cruz

La Cruz, Chile

1
Rene Quispe

Jefe de PRODESAL

INDAP

1
Nelida Pohl

Directora de Comunicaciones

Instituto de Ecologia y Biodiversidad

Santiago, Chile

1
Carlos Salas

Gerente de Innovación y Desarrollo

Vivero del Maipo Ltda.

San José de Maipo, Chile