Eduardo Ruiz is a doctor in Biological Sciences from the University of Concepción. He is Associate Professor and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, University of Concepción. He holds a membership in the Chilean Botanical Society and Chilean Genetic Society. Professional interests include island biology and molecular systematics and population genetics of Chilean endangered species with special research emphasis on the evolution and conservation of the flora of the Juan Fernández Islands. Beginning in 1984, he collaborated on six research expeditions to the Archipelago with many contributions on genetic variation within and among natural populations. He has participated in numerous international scientific conferences and has produced 67 publications.