Sergio Avila-Calero (Dr. rer. nat.)
Biography
Sergio completed his studies in Biology at Universidad Mayor de San Andrés in La Paz, Bolivia, where he was actively involved in biodiversity research projects. He then moved to Münster, Germany to pursue a PhD in Evolutionary Biology, using interdisciplinary approaches across behavior, microbiology, and molecular biology. During his first postdoctoral position at the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, he expanded his expertise in molecular biology through wet-lab work and omics data analysis.
Throughout his career, he has worked with a wide range of data types and research workflows, which were often fragmented or lacked standardized structures for documentation, reuse, and long-term storage. These experiences motivated a shift in his professional focus toward Research Data Management (RDM), where he aims to promote sustainable, reproducible, and well-documented research practices. His current work centers on the development and dissemination of good practices, with a strong emphasis on knowledge transfer in RDM.
Contact
- Email s.avilacalero@uni-koeln.de
- Office BI-K - Geb. 705 - Zülpicher Str. 58e - 50672 Köln - 1 OG - Room 1.011
- https://www.linkedin.com
- https://scholar.google.com
- https://www.researchgate.net
Academic Background
Areas of Expertise
Current Teachings
Effective Research Data Management: From FAIR Principles to Open Science
[This course is only offered in English] The pace and unpredictability of research often leave little room for thorough documentation and metadata annotation. Yet, effective Research Data Management (RDM) is essential to ensure the reliability, reproducibility, and long-term value of research outputs. Central to RDM are the FAIR data principles¿making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable¿which should be embedded across all stages of the data lifecycle. In parallel, RDM is a cornerstone of Open Science, a movement that fosters transparency, collaboration, and equitable access to scientific knowledge. By integrating FAIR and Open Science practices into everyday research, researchers not only increase the visibility and impact of their work but also contribute to a more robust and inclusive scientific ecosystem.
Show in KLIPSFolders and File Names: The Survival Guide
[This course is offered only in English] Struggling to stay on top of your digital files? This lecture and hands-on workshop will help you create a file naming and folder system that suits your needs and evolves with you. Using guiding questions and simple strategies, you¿ll learn to organise your files in a way that makes sense, improves access, and reduces clutter. Rather than offering a rigid method, we encourage flexible thinking and regular review so your system stays useful over time. Ideal for anyone looking to take control of their digital workspace.
Show in KLIPSRDM4Researchers: Designing Reproducible Life Science Research Across the Data Lifecycle
This course is designed for life science researchers who want their data to stay understandable, usable, and trustworthy long after an experiment is finished. Instead of treating Research Data Management (RDM) as paperwork or compliance, the course approaches it as a practical part of doing good research. Working with examples from omics, imaging, microscopy, and molecular biology, participants explore how everyday decisions—how data are named, documented, analysed, and shared—shape reproducibility, reuse, and long-term value across the research data lifecycle.
Show in KLIPSOpen Science Essentials: Tools, Principles, and Practices
Lecture introduces the principles and practice of Open Science and the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles in a clear and accessible way for researchers across disciplines. It explores why transparency, collaboration, and responsible data sharing are becoming central to research, particularly in light of funder requirements under programmes such as Horizon Europe. Participants will gain an overview of key concepts, policy context, and practical steps to integrate Open Science and FAIR principles into their everyday research workflows.
Show in KLIPS