About
I am a postdoctoral researcher at Rutgers University in the Quantitative Evolutionary Microbiology Laboratory led by Michael Manhart.
My research focuses on developing mathematical models to uncover general principles governing adaptation, with a particular emphasis on microbial systems. I aim to bridge the gap between theory and experiments, integrating predictive frameworks with empirical data.
In my project at Rutgers, I investigate the predictability of evolution across biological scales and species diversity.
Using Candida yeast as a model organism, I aim to develop a theoretical framework for understanding evolutionary repeatability.
My work is part of a collaborative project funded by the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), in partnership with Meike Wortel (University of Amsterdam) and Daniel Charlebois (University of Alberta).
Publications
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Faraday kinks connecting parametric waves in magnetic wires, A.O. Leon, E. Berríos-Caro, A. León, M.G. Clerc. Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation, 2024.
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Mutators drive evolution of multi-resistance to antibiotics, D. R. Gifford, E. Berríos-Caro, C. Joerres, M. Suñé, J.H. Forsyth, A. Bhattacharyya, T. Galla, and C. G. Knight. PLoS Genetics, 2023.
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Beyond the adiabatic limit in systems with fast environments: a
-leaping algorithm, E. Berríos-Caro and T. Galla. Physical Review E, 2021. -
Competition delays multi-drug resistance evolution during combination therapy, E. Berríos-Caro, D. R. Gifford, and T. Galla. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2020.
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Patchy landscapes in arid environments: Nonlinear analysis of the interaction-redistribution model, M. Messaoudi, M. G. Clerc, E. Berríos-Caro, D. Pinto-Ramos, M. Khaffou, A. Makhoute, and M. Tlidi. Chaos, 2020.
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Interaction between vegetation patches and gaps: A self-organized response to water scarcity, M. Tlidi, E. Berríos-Caro, D. Pinto-Ramo, A. G. Vladimirov, and M. G. Clerc. Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena, 2020.
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Switching environments, synchronous sex, and the evolution of mating types, E. Berríos-Caro, T. Galla, and George W. A. Constable. Theoretical Population Biology, 2020.
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Transition from nonradiative to radiative oscillons in parametrically driven systems, A. J. Alvarez-Socorro, E. Berríos-Caro, M. G. Clerc, and A. O. Leon. Physical Review E, 2020.
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On the repulsive interaction between localised vegetation patches in scarce environments, E. Berríos-Caro, M. G. Clerc, D. Escaff, C. Sandivari, and M. Tlidi. Scientific Reports, 2020
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Oscillating decorated interfaces in parametrically driven systems, E. Berríos-Caro, M. G. Clerc, M. A. Ferre, and A. O. Leon. Physical Review E, 2018
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Flaming
kinks in parametrically driven systems, E. Berríos-Caro, M. G. Clerc and A. O. Leon. Physical Review E, 2016. -
Harnessing diffraction grating in an in-plane switching cell submitted to zigzag lattice, V. Odent, E. Berríos-Caro, and M. G. Clerc. Applied Optics, 2016.
CV
Research and Education
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Since 2025: Postdoctoral Researcher, Rutgers University, USA. Supervisor: Michael Manhart.
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2021 - 2024: Postdoctoral Researcher, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany. Supervisors: Hildegard Uecker and Hinrich Schulenburg.
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2017 - 2020: Ph.D in Physics, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Thesis: “Stochastic dynamics of biological populations in changing environments”. Supervisors: Tobias Galla and Danna Gifford.
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2015 - 2017: Master Degree in Physics, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Thesis: “Particle-like solutions in nonequilibrium systems: Coupled oscillators, vegetation, and optics”. Supervisors: Marcel Clerc and Mustapha Tlidi.
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2011 - 2014: Undergraduate Degree in Physics, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Funding and Awards
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2023 - 2024: Walter Benjamin Position grant from DFG. Project: “Bottlenecks, population dynamics, and antibiotic resistance evolution”.
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2021 - 2022: Postdoctoral stipend, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany.
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2020: Scholarship extension due to Covid-19 pandemic, The University of Manchester, UK.
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2017 - 2020: President’s Doctoral Scholar Award, The University of Manchester, UK.
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2017: Beca Doctorado Extranjero Convocatoria 2017, CONICYT, Chile. (Declined due to sponsorship awarded at The University of Manchester).
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2015 - 2017: Beca Magíster Nacional Convocatoria 2015, CONICYT, Chile.
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2011 - 2014: Beca Bicentenario, Mineduc, Chile.
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2011 - 2014: Beca Presidente de la República, Mineduc, Chile.
Other scientific activities
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2024: Lecturer of course "Fundamentals of mathematical modelling in evolutionary biology" (October 2024) along with Dr. Nikhil Sharma at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany.
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2024: Co-organiser of workshop “Scientific Website Design” (May 2024) along with Dr. Nikoleta Glynatsi at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany.
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2024: Postdoctoral representative at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, along with Dr. Kaumudi Prabhakara.
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2023: Co-organiser of the postdoctoral retreat (September 2023) at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany.
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2023: Co-organiser of international workshop “Modelling Resistance Evolution – Theoretical Methodology Symposium” (April 2023) along with Christin Nyhoegen at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany.
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2022: Co-organiser of the postdoctoral retreat (September 2022) at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany.
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2021: Co-organiser of workshop “Stochastic simulations in evolutionary biology” (December 2021) along with Dr. Félix Geoffroy at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany.
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2021: Lecturer, Universität zu Lübeck, Germany. Lectures on branching processes for course “Mathematical biology in action during the Corona pandemic” (November 2021). Jointly taught by several members of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology.
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2021: Co-organiser of workshop “An introduction to branching processes and their applications in evolution and epidemiology” (October 2021) along with the Stochastic Evolutionary Dynamics group.
Contact
Location:
Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine (CABM)
Rutgers University
679 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
Email:
ernesto.berrios.c@rutgers.edu