Andrea Raya Rey
Andrea Raya Rey | |
|---|---|
| Born | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Alma mater | University of Buenos Aires |
| Known for | Seabird Colonies, Ecology, Conservation |
Andrea Raya Rey is an Argentinian ecologist and researcher, best known for her work on seabirds.[1][2] Her research focuses on breeding biology, foraging ecology, conservation, and human impact in Argentina, Patagonia, and Sub-Antarctic Islands.[1][2][3] She has been studying and aiding in seabird conservation efforts for over 20 years.
Early life and education
From a very young age, Raya Rey was fascinated by the sea. During her undergraduate research, she studied dolphins in Southern Argentina. It was through this research that she was introduced to penguins.[1] Rey earned her bachelor's degree and PhD in biology from the University of Buenos Aires.[2]
Career and impact
Raya Rey is a scientific researcher at the Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC) (part of CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas) in Ushuaia, Argentina (2000–present).[2][3] Presently, most of Raya Rey's research takes place near Tierra Del Fuego, where she and her team study seven remote penguin colonies, mostly magellanic, crested, and gentoo penguins.[4] Her research focuses on how human impact affects the colonies. Some specific examples include how changes in sea temperature impact penguin's and their prey and how ocean pollution is reaching remote penguin colonies.[4] Raya Reycollects samples and uses GPS technology to better understand how penguin behaviors, such as foraging and reproduction habits, may change or adapt to factors like rising temperatures.[5] She analyzes these behaviors to determine the health of the colonies and broader implications to the marine environment.[6]
One major finding by Raya Rey and others is that there are three species of rockhopper penguins, a type of crested penguin. Rey and her team made this discovery using genetic testing and analysis. Crested penguin populations are very vulnerable to climate change. The assessment of these populations as distinct species may help create better conservation guidelines to protect them.[7] Dr. Andrea Raya Rey, as well as other researchers, are now able to use drones to help monitor the populations of rockhoppers, and many other species of penguins around Tierra del Fuego. The use of this technology allows researchers to get close and learn about the daily life habits of the penguin populations without disturbing them. Being able to see how climate change, pollution, and other human impacts effect these penguins every day is an important factor for conservation efforts.[8]
When tourism to Tierra del Fuego began increasing in 2005, Raya Reyfounded the group Comprosimo Onashaga.[4] The goal of this group is to protect wildlife in and around the Beagle Channel by working with tourism companies and monitoring their actions to ensure they are not endangering local fauna.[9] She is a member of the Penguin Watch team, a research group focused on understanding threats to penguin colonies on Isla de los Estados.[3]
Awards and recognition
Raya Rey was recognized by NASA in 2016 for her work on the relationship between seabirds and fisheries near Fairbanks, Alaska and for her drive to connect globally with other researchers, so they may all broaden the impact of their work.[10]
Media appearances
Raya Rey also appears in episode four, "The Far South" of the nature documentary series "Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World", narrated by Pedro Pascal.[11]
Selected works
- Raya Rey, Andrea & Balza, Ulises. (2026). Correction to: Biodiversity and Conservation of Isla de los Estados (Chuani-sin). 10.1007/978-3-032-13630-5_16.
- Raya Rey, Andrea Nélida; Saenz Samaniego, Ricardo Andres; Petracci, Pablo Fabricio; New records of South American sea lion Otaria flavescens predation on southern rockhopper penguins Eudyptes chrysocome at Staten Island, Argentina; Springer; Polar Biology; 35; 2; 2–2012; 319–322
- Santaniello, Camille & Dodino, Samanta & Pütz, Klemens & Raya Rey, Andrea. (2025). Comprehensive stressor analysis for breeding Magellanic and Southern Rockhopper Penguins. Journal for Nature Conservation. 89. 127152. 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127152.
- Raya Rey, Andrea & Balza, Ulises & Domato, Ignacio & Zunino, Francisco. (2022). New Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus colony in a subantarctic island. Polar Biology. 45. 1–6. 10.1007/s00300-022-03093-6.
References
- 1 2 3 CNN, Ashley Strickland (2022-07-29). "Meet the adorable penguins living across Patagonia". ABC 12 WJRT-TV. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - 1 2 3 4 "Andrea RAYA REY". ResearchGate. 2026-05-05. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- 1 2 3 "Zooniverse". www.zooniverse.org. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- 1 2 3 DW News (2020-05-19). Argentina: Penguin colonies suffer from plastic trash | Global Ideas. Retrieved 2026-05-16 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Google, Por Valeria RománAgregar Infobae enAgrega Infobae a tus medios preferidos en (2026-05-20). "Alertan que los pingüinos papúa de Tierra del Fuego están en riesgo por el aumento de temperaturas". infobae (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-05-31.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ UK, Victoria Turk, WIRED. "The Mystery of the World's Loneliest Penguins". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Grandes avances en estudios genéticos de pingüinos crestados" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2024-01-30. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ Borsellino, Laura (2021-03-16). "Isla de los Estados: con drones, buscan retratar la "vida íntima" de especies en riesgo". LA NACION (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ "Onashaga". www.onashaga.com.ar. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
- ↑ "La NASA distingue a la Dra. Andrea Raya Rey por su contribución como investigadora del CADIC" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2025-04-21. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ www.imdb.com https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21068958/?ref_=ttep_ep_4. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)