Elena J. Soto

Elena J.Soto is conducting a Ph.D. in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution by the University of Lisbon starting in 2026 within the Eco-connect research group at CE3C - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes. She is conducting the project “Assessing the ecology and conservation risks of free-ranging domestic cats in European protected areas”, under the supervision of Dr. Maria P. Dias (CE3C, University of Lisbon) and Dr. Francisco Palomares (Doñana Biological Station, EBD-CSIC). project aims are: to assess the population status and spatial ecology of free-ranging cats in protected areas, to characterise their movement patterns and trophic ecology across urbanisation gradients, to evaluate their impacts on bird communities in island and mainland ecosystems, and to identify and map areas of high conservation risk for birds.