Frederic Bartumeus

My research (≈100 publications) focuses on combining ecological theory with novel data streams to understand animal movement and transport processes. The rapid advancement of tracking technologies—including high-throughput video, bio-loggers, GPS, and smartphones—calls for new computational tools, data-mining algorithms, and modeling frameworks. My work addresses these needs through an integrative and interdisciplinary approach that bridges animal behavior with spatial population dynamics at unprecedented resolution.
I have made significant theoretical and empirical contributions toward a mechanistic understanding of the general search and encounter problem in living organisms. Insights into how animals search for resources and disperse in dynamic environments provide not only a stronger predictive foundation for ecology—spanning behavioral ecology, invasion biology, conservation, and epidemiology—but also enable applications in robotics, biomedicine, and computational sciences.
More recently, I have used model organisms (e.g., nematodes, ants, fish) and high-throughput experimental systems to dissect the organizational and dynamical principles of search and foraging behavior. These systems offer precise control over environmental cues, internal states, and sensory capabilities, complementing high-resolution wildlife tracking data.
In parallel, I am advancing next-generation behavioral and dispersal data for mosquito-borne disease research. Over the past decade, I have developed innovative approaches to track mosquito populations and mosquito–human encounters using internet-based platforms, smartphones, and citizen participation. This work is transforming vector management by enabling real-time mapping and forecasting of disease transmission risks as part of scalable, flexible early warning systems.
My scientific contributions have been widely recognized. Honors include the Premi Ciutat Barcelona (2018), appointment as a Distinguished Researcher of the Spanish Research Council (2018), finalist at the European Innovation Council Horizon Prize (2022), and an Honorary Mention for the European Union Prize for Citizen Science (2023). My recognition at the World Summit Awards further underscores my leadership in advancing ecological knowledge and fostering digital sustainable solutions.
Keywords: Movement Ecology, Search behaviour, Optimal foraging, Migration, Conservation Biology, Invasion ecology, Human mobility, Computational and Theoretical Ecology.