Selected Participants



August 19 - 31 2012

Participant

Description

Araya-Ajoy, Yimen G.

PhD candidate, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Germany

I am interested in behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology, specifically how behaviour affects the evolutionary trajectories of populations and species. My PhD research is about how social interactions of individuals affect the evolutionary dynamics of 12 wild populations of passerine birds (Parus major).

Asorey, Cynthia M.

PhD candidate, Universidad Catolica del Norte, Chile

My research goals focus on understanding which processes act in distribution and composition of biological assemblages using Order Patellogastropoda as model. I’m also interested in understanding the role of several oceanographic variables in determining niche evolution. Currently, I have a CONICYT doctoral fellowship in the Laboratorio de Biodiversidad Molecular at Universidad Catolica del Norte and my supervisor is Dra Pilar A. Haye.

Bagley, Justin C.

PhD candidate, Brigham Young University, USA

My research addresses questions in molecular phylogeography, biogeography, systematics, taxonomy, life-history evolution, and phylogenetic comparative methods, mostly using freshwater fishes. A running thread of this research is recovering patterns and processes responsible for the origin, maintenance and spread of biodiversity across space and time using interdisciplinary approaches. I am particularly interested in statistical and genetic approaches to studying the influence of historical versus ecological processes, e.g. Neogene climate cycles, on diversity, distributions, and species demography.

Bayless, Keith M.

PhD candidate, North Carolina State University

Diptera is an incredibly diverse lineage of organisms. The twelve or more origins of hematophagy in Diptera comprise more species than any other hematophagous arthropod group. I am compelled to investigate the factors that may have driven this diversification. I use taxonomic revisions, molecular and morphological phylogenies, and genomic data to characterize and evaluate the diversity of blood-sucking flies. Current projects include a densely sampled horse fly phylogeny and Diptera phylogenetics using transcriptomes.

Bonnet, Nadia

PhD candidate, UFC, Brazil

I’m a PhD student at Universidade Federal do Ceará (Brazil) and I’m interested in taxonomy and evolution of Ascidiacea. I have been studying ascidians since 2005 and in my current thesis I’m using molecular (CO1 and 18S) and morphological characters to study the evolution of characters and taxa within the Order Phlebobranchia, as well as to provide better descriptions of the species and add data in the project of the DNA Barcoding.

Breitman, Maria F.

Centro Nacional Patagonico - CENPAT, Argentina

My research focuses on conservation, evolution and characterizing species diversity, e.g. through taxonomy. My PhD dissertation has centered on a section of Liolaemus lizards from South America. We have published the first complete phylogeny of this monophyletic group (including a species tree approach), described three new species, and evaluated the phylogeographic history of one clade, which revealed patterns of glacial refugia and phylogenetic breaks shared with plants and rodents in southern Patagonia.

Canales Aguirre, Cristian B.

PhD candidate, Universidad de Concepcion, Chile

My current research project focuses on identifying and evaluating underlying evolutionary mechanisms that give rise to population structure and species diversity patterns across phyla, using molecular analyses and biogeographic theory. Specifically, I want to identify the most important factors promoting diversification on the order Clupeiformes and at several levels of their taxonomic hierarchy. I am working to determine the relative importance of those factors and their role on the diversification process of this group at a micro and macroevolutionary scale.

Chandru-Balasa, Kuhan

PhD candidate, Yokohama National University, Japan

My current research involves the origin of life (astrobiology). I’m essentially dealing with hydrothermal system, where the origin of life is speculated to begin. With fatty acids, amino acids and a hydrothermal simulator, i play with the prebiotic parameters in hope to develop membrane like structure and protein aggregates. Since this work is the bottom-up approach, I am also looking for clues from the biological perspective, such as what kind of membrane composition exist in simple bacteria, or what is the simplest protein derived from the genetic codes. My research interest in general are evolution and origin of life.

Cunha, Amanda F.

PhD candidate, USP, Brazil

My current research involves the study of morphological variability and its phylogenetic signal in a Hydrozoa family, using it as a model to investigate morphological variability patterns from the micro to the macroevolutionary level in marine colonial organisms. My main research interest is on the study of morphological characters evolution and the role of phenotypic plasticity in driving micro and macroevolution in this group.

David, Juliana M.

PhD candidate, IG-USP

Has experience in geosciences, with emphasis in paleontology, and particular interest in evolutionary aspects of intracratonic basin´s bivalves. Works with systematics, palaeobiogeography and biostratigraphy of Permian bivalves from Brazilian and African basins.

Faria, Samuel C.

PhD candidate, FFCLRP-USP, Brazil

My current PhD research has been testing the hypothesis of a physiological evolution associated with the diversification of thermal niches in a crab clade, at the systemic, biochemical and molecular levels. Moreover, my general academic interests are reconstructing the evolutionary history of animal physiology on the colonization of fresh water, terrestrial and polar environments, and understanding some cladistic principles and phylogenetic comparative methods.

Gao, Feng

PhD Student, Ocean University of China (China) / Smith College (USA)

My interests are the molecular phylogeny, evolution and ecology of marine protists. My current researches are: a) Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of ciliates: using molecular biological methods to investigate systematics, phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary positions of ciliates. b) Alternative processing of scrambled genes in Chilodonella uncinata: to explore patterns of chromosomal rearrangements and to characterize the mechanisms of genome rearrangements among diverse ciliate lineages.

Gavilan, Ronnie G.

PhD candidate, Universidade de Compostela, Chile

My research interest is focused on the population genetics and biogeography of marine human pathogens such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus. To address this subject, I am integrating the information obtained from comparative genomics, phylogenetic analyses and environmental variables data to study the emergence and geographic spread of pathogenic lineages of V. parahaemolyticus. Based on these analyses, I am pursuing to determine the major genetic pools which inhabit oceanic environments and the inter-population gene flow of Vibrio.

Graves, Christopher

PhD candidate, Brown University, USA

My primary research interests are in adaptations to changing environments. My current research examines the evolution of increased local mutation rates in the antigens of microbial pathogens which allow rapid adaptation to changes in the host immune system. I have employed a combination of analytical and computational modeling to determine the optimal mutation rate in changing environments like that of the immune system and to explore the evolutionary dynamics of alleles that increase mutation rate.

Grizante, Mariana B.

PhD candidate, FFCLRP-USP

My main interests are evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), modularity, ecomorphology and patterns of macroevolution. In my current research project, I aim to investigate associations between developmental processes and different patterns of phenotypic variation, specifically focusing on evolutionary changes in the number of trunk and tail vertebrae that occurred during the history of Squamata.

Guidolin, Aline S.

PhD candidate, ESALQ/USP, Brazil

My long-term interests are in the interactions among Arthropod and symbionts, such as the facultative symbionts, which can affect host development, host race selection, host resistance to entomopathogens and entomophages, transmission and acquisition of pathogens, and resistance to environmental conditions. I worked on characterization of Wolbachia strains to explore alternative control strategies and, nowadays my research project aims to investigate the interactions between facultative symbionts at different trophic levels.

Hubbe, Alex

PhD student, IBUSP-Genética, Brazil

My main interests are related to the better understanding of xenarthrans (sloths, armadillos and anteaters) morphological evolution and the causes related to the extinction of several species of this group around 10 thousand years ago. My current research is rooted in quantitative genetics and is focused on patterns and processes related to cranial morphological evolution within extant and extinct Xenarthra lineages.

Kalsoom, Saima

PhD student, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan

My current work is related to IL-2 inhibitory potential and computational studies on different series of compounds. I am interesting to correlate experimental bioactivity result to computational results and identify some novel compounds for IL-2 inhibition assay. A library of 52 compounds belonging to six different was synthesized in wet lab. All these compounds were tested for their potency as IL-2 inhibitors. In my next step i have planned to confirm these results by molecular docking and MD simulation studies. My current research work will help us to filter out some novel candidates as interlukin -2 inhibitors.

Lanna, Emílio

PhD candidate, UFRJ / Assistant Professor, UFBA

How a colony of single-celled organisms has evolved to multicellular animals? The development of sponges (Porifera) is probably one of the best models to investigate this question. I have been studying the development of sponges on an evolutionary perspective. My research focuses on evolutionary aspects of the sponge development, trying to figure out how development generates the variation of sponge body plans. I hope my findings will be useful for future evo-devo studies.

Li, Yang

PhD candidate, University of Oxford, UK

I am interested in how the different selective forces acting on the genome contributed to biodiversity and the diversity of phenotypic traits. To do that, I am developing algorithms for genome assembly, studying exon-intron architecture evolution across closely related species (East African Cichlids), and analyzing protein family expansion/contraction in several clades (including the one of the turtles).

Lima, Marcos R.

PhD candidate, UnB, Brazil

I have a general interest on contemporary evolution, more specifically, on how invasive species adjust to novel environmental pressures in their novel ranges. I use invasive species as model systems to study evolution, ecology and biogeography. I'm also interested on how host-parasite dynamics emerge. Invasive species are good models to study these dynamics because they have the tendency to lose their parasites when introduced to novel ranges and acquire new parasites.

Marx, Hannah E.

PhD candidate, University of Idaho, USA

My research examines different scales and applications of phylogenetic community structure analyses. Currently, I am investigating the community phylogenetics of the vascular flora of the San Juan Islands archipelago using floristic survey data and mega-phylogenies, community phylogenetics of the human vaginal microbiome over time using next generation sequence data, and a phylogenetically guided search for medicinally useful plants using data gathered from literature mining and mega-phylogenetic techniques.

Miranda, Lucília S.

PhD candidate, IB-USP/Zoologia, Brazil

The proposal of my current research is an integrative microevolutionary study of the class Staurozoa (Cnidaria), addressing: the evolution of their body plan, the taxonomic/evolutionary meaning of their cnidome, and the evolution of their life cycle (comparative gene expression). Besides, I am also interested in a macroevolutionary approach, encompassing biogeographical and ecological studies, such as specific distributional patterns of the class and their niche evolution, with possible inferences in the conservation of the group.

Nery, Mariana F.

PhD candidate, Universidad Austral de Chile

My interests have been oriented towards understanding the evolution of multigene families, and the mechanisms and forces that govern the evolution of genomes. In my doctoral research I am particularly interested in the process of natural selection at the molecular level, working currently within the cetacean lineage.

Pacheco, Mirian Liza A. F.

PhD candidate, IG-USP, Brazil

Corumbella (Ediacaran, Brazil) is one of the first Metazoa capable to perform skeletogenesys, playing fundamental role in elucidating the history of the metazoan explosion. By the means of modern advanced techniques, such as High-resolution X-ray imaging and Raman spectroscopy, we are trying to investigate inner structures of this metazoan and to elucidate the chemical composition of its theca.

Pappalardo, Maria P.

PhD candidate, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

I am interested in the evolution of larval mode of development in marine invertebrates and its effects on patterns of diversity and distribution of species. My current research focuses on latitudinal patterns of distribution of larval modes of development, its relationship to environmental variables, the correlated evolution between environment and mode of larval development and constraints that affect species that encapsulate their embryos.

Pereira, Alessandro A.

PhD candidate, ESALQ/USP, Brazil

I am interested in Population Genetics, applications of molecular markers in genetic studies of plant species and in the Evolution of Amazonian crops. My current PhD research is on Population Genetics, Population Genomics and Phylogeography of manioc varieties traditionally grown along the Amazon basin. In this study nuclear and chloroplastidial microsatellites, along with RAD-seq molecular markers will be employed on the study of the organization of genetic and genomics diversity of manioc varieties.

Provete, Diogo B.

PhD candidate, UFG, Brazil

I’m a biologist interested in the causes and consequences of species diversity in freshwater metacommunities. I’m also interested in functional morphology and trait evolution of Neotropical amphibians. In my doctorate project, I study how the phylogenetic and trait structure of metacommunities of amphibians vary along environmental and spatial gradients. I also plan to conduct a field mesocosm experiment testing the influence of phylogenetic and trait diversity on the functioning of freshwater ecosystems.

Rosser, Neil S.

PhD candidate, University College London, UK

My PhD is on speciation in Heliconius butterflies of tropical America. I am interested in spatial patterns of diversification, the geography of speciation and the population genetics of hybrid zones. I am addressing these questions using maps of species ranges combined with phylogeny, and field work on a hybrid zone at the Andes/ Amazon frontier in Peru.

Sanchez-Meseguer, Andrea

PhD candidate, Real Jardín Botánico, Madrid-CSIC, Spain

I am a PhD student at the Real Jardín Botánico-CSIC (Madrid, Spain). My thesis deals with the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of the genus Hypericum (Hypericaceae), an old and large plant group with a cosmopolitan distribution, and using molecular phylogenies and different biogeographic and diversification models. My main interest is in Macroevolutionary patterns and methods. Specifically, on historical biogeography and how changes in geographic distribution through time affect organism evolution (character change and character acquisition, changes in diversification rates, etc.)

Schmidt, Jennifer M.

PhD candidate, Friedrch-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany

My research interest is about Evolutionary novelties in amphibian head development. Therefore I analyse the roles of FoxN3 and functionally related genes for the development of unique larval head skeletal structures and muscles in different amphibian with a special interest in the molecular mechanisms of cranial neural crest development. Using different histological and molecular-biological techniques, I investigate the signal cascade of FoxN3 and elucidate differences in the pathway of FoxN3 between distinct species.

Schneider, Daniela I.

PhD candidate, Medical University of Vienna

I focus on studying long-term interactions between the maternally inherited bacteria Wolbachia pipientis and their new world host Drosophila paulistorum, a complex of sympatric but reproductively isolated semi-species. These bacteria can strongly manipulate host biology by alternating mate recognition/reproduction, lifespan and immune response. I am testing the impact of Wolbachia on mate choice, a key parameter of host speciation, in D. paulistorum with emphasis on whether Wolbachia direct assortative mating via alternating pheromone fingerprints.

Shirai, Leila T.

PhD candidate, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Portugal

In the past ten years studying evolution, I aimed at understanding the influence of modularity in cranial evolution as well as the influence of spatial distribution and glaciation events on speciation. Currently my focus is on the influence of hierarchical networks of development in morphological diversification, and how genetic pathways interact leading to the formation of novel traits. Ultimately, I dearly desire to investigate the role of constraints on species histories (in Brazilian islands!).

Shultz, Allison J.

PhD candidate, Harvard University

My research interests include phenotypic evolution, phylogenetics, population genetics, behavioral ecology, and genomics. Current projects include systematics of the large Neotropical bird family, the tanagers, the evolution of their plumage coloration, and diversification in relation to phenotypic traits. In addition, I am working on phylogeography of the House Finch using genomic tools, and will look for signatures of recent colonization and selection. I plan to study evolution on a genetic level of plumage coloration mechanisms.

Silva, Larissa L.

PhD candidate, FIOCRUZ, Brazil

I am a PhD student at René Rachou Research Center – FIOCRUZ, a research institute that carries out research in tropical diseases. My research involves comparative analyses of helminth genomes, focusing in Schistosoma mansoni - etiologic agent of Schistosomiasis. Using an evolutionary approach to assess parasite biology, we are providing insights into host-parasite interactions. The main aim of our study is accelerate the search for new drugs and vaccine toward the control and eradication of Schistosomiasis.

Simonov, Evgeniy

PhD candidate, Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

My research interests include population and ecological genetics, phylogeography and population ecology of scaled reptiles (Squamates) and their conservation. In my Ph.D. project I am focusing on the problem of spatial patterns of genetic variability and factors affecting it. My study species is the Halys pit-viper Gloydius halys (Serpentes: Viperidae) in the south-eastern part of West Siberia (Russia). I use the complex approach that includes methods of molecular genetics, classical population ecology, and morphology.

Pereira, Noemy S.

PhD candidate, Ecology, UNICAMP, Brazil.

I am interested in studying phylogenies, systematics, biogeography, and diversification of species, using butterflies as models. My most recent research was on a very common genus of Satyrine butterflies, exploring mainly species delimitations, definitions, boundaries and speciation processes. I am now starting my PhD project on the evolution of mirmecophily and host plant use in Metalmark butterflies. Our goals also include the proposal of a phylogenetic hypothesis and a biogeographic study. Riodinid butterflies are a very diverse group, both in ecological interactions and species richness, mainly distributed on the Neotropics. Many species interact with ant-plant-herbivore systems as larvae. Some interactions with ants are facultative and others obligate which, in turn, could lead to shifts in host plant use and polyphagy, which just makes them a great group to work on the evolution of ecological interactions.

Spanbauer, Trisha L.

PhD candidate, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, USA

I am interested in integrating multiple fields in the disciplines of geology and biology in order to develop a holistic view of how organisms and the systems they inhabit change and evolve. My research seeks to describe the evolutionary and distributional changes of a dominant phytoplankton in Andean lakes. I am using both paleontological methods and evolutionary biological theory to evaluate the role of climate as a factor in both evolution and range dynamics.

St-Onge, Philippe

PhD candidate, Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), Canada

I'm a Ph.D. candidate in Biological Oceanography at the Université du Québec à Rimouski (Rimouski, QC, Canada) and currently studying the population genetic structure and connectivity of softshell clams (Mya arenaria) at different spatial scales using highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. My research interests mostly lie in understanding the short larval duration life strategies of bentho-pelagic marine invertebrates and the factors responsible for enabling and/or disabling larval retention in the intertidal using a molecular ecology approach.

Sunagar, Kartik B.

PhD candidate, CIIMAR/University of Porto, Portugal

I aspire to decipher “Molecular Evolution of Venom” across various taxonomical groups by employing state-of-art techniques from computational biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, population genetics and phylogenetics. From slithering serpents to buoyant jellyfishes, venom, a concoction of myriad of pharmacologically active peptides, plays a vital role in the survival of these predators. Understanding the genetic basis of the diversification of venom-encoding genes across various groups of vertebrates and invertebrates can provide fundamental biological insights on species evolution, ecological specialization, and genetic novelties which may be of major importance for evolutionary and biomedical research. Besides venomics, I have profound interest in evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, population genetics and wildlife photography.

Torrano-Silva, Beatriz N.

PhD candidate, IBUSP-Botânica, Brazil

I have dealt with marine flora, species introductions, environmental education and university extension. Currently I’m a PhD candidate at Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil), working with taxonomy and phylogeny of calcareous algae, including Barcoding procedures. I’m also very interested on comparative biogeography, phylogeography, evolution and climate change. The opportunity to discuss these and other issues along with researchers from other areas, looking forward an holistic understanding about the phenomena involved will be fascinating.

Aguilar, Héctor G.

Masters student, University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College

I am interested in plant speciation and adaptations that evolve in response to different environments. My current research involves the development of a DNA barcoding database of the 150 Asteraceae species of the Río Grande Valley using chloroplast markers. Herbal supplements from local shops will be compared for matches, which can lead to finding plants that have similar medicinal properties to related congeners or identifying the use of harmful herbal supplements, which may be misidentified.

Bendia, Amanda G.

Masters student, UFRJ-Biofísica, Brazil

I am finishing my master's degree in Biophysics (Molecular Biology) at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and soon I will initiate my PhD in Microbiology at the University of Sao Paulo (USP). My master's research aimed to evaluate the responses of UV radiation on extremophilic microorganisms isolated from Antarctic environment. I’m interested in working on a PhD project involving the study of extreme environments and extremophiles as modern models for the origin and evolution of microbial life at early Earth.

Bezerra, Emerson A. S.

Masters student, UFPB-Zoologia, Brazil

My research focuses on the evolution of oligochaetes. The project I am currently involved with is on phylogeny of Glossoscolecidae, a family of earthworms endemic from South America. My theoretical and methodological study interests are on systematic phylogeny, taxonomy, and biogeography.

Borda, Victor

Masters student, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru

I am a master student of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Lima, Peru). My research interests are the systematics, evolution and phylogeography of terrestrial invertebrates; specifically, giant land snails distribuited in the oriental slope of the central Andes (from Venezuela to Argentina). My study focuses in the evolutionary relationships among the species of the genus Megalobulimus and their relationships with other land snails. In addition, my research intends to provide insight into the processes responsible for generating diversity by reconstruction of historical demography

Bronzati Filho, Mario

Masters student, FFCLRP - USP, Brazil

The project I’m developing in my Masters is related to the evolution of Crocodyliformes. I have two main areas of research: the first one is related to the diversity of the group through the geological time and the other deals with the study of cranial characters; both fronts are developed under the lights of phylogenetic systematic. My areas of interest are: systematics and evolution of Crocodyliformes/Archosauria; biostratigraphy and fossil record; theoretical and philosophical aspects of cladistics.

Butterfield, Eileen

Masters student, Uppsala University, Sweden

I am a student in the Erasmus Mundus Masters Programme for Evolutionary Biology (MEME). My general interests combine animal behavior and host-pathogen evolution. My two current projects are: (i) In association with the University of Montpellier, I am developing a model of pathogen evolution, which considers how a pathogen-determined trade-off between tolerance and resistance shapes virulence evolution. (ii) With Uppsala University, I am examining the trade-off between reproductive success and immune defense in collared flycatchers.

Dragu, Anca-Neluta

Master student, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Romania

I am a bat researcher at the "Emil Racovita" Institute of Speleology in Bucharest, Romania. My research interests cover: foraging activity of bats in karst areas, habitat availability and use by bat communities, the use of human altered habitats, population genetics of Rhinolophus mehelyi. Currently I manage a research project on the evolutionary changes driven by competition for food among 3 similar bat species – R. blasii, R. euryale and R. mehelyi.

Magalhães, Ivan L. F.

Masters student, UFMG, Brazil

I am a systematist working on spider taxonomy, phylogenetics, evolution and biogeography. My main current project aims at investigating the diversity and relationships of South American spiders in the genus Sicarius (Sicariidae) and the phylogeographical patterns of two species of the genus. Besides adding basic information on the diversity of the genus, I expect this will help clarify the biogeographical history of Neotropical seasonally dry tropical forests and other xeric areas.

Marcelino, Vanessa R.

Masters student, Ghent University, Belgium

Vanessa Marcelino is an Erasmus Mundus Master Student at Ghent University - Belgium. Her research project focuses on the niche evolution of the seaweed genus Halimeda, which is investigated through microhabitat description, ecological niche modeling and molecular tools. Her interests include niche dynamics, genomics, phylogeography and molecular related tools that can help to understand how adaptation shapes biogeography and patterns of species diversification.

Mendonça, Munique P.

Masters student, UNISINOS, Brazil

My current research is to genetically characterize populations of Z. indianus from the New and Old world in order to outline a scenario of the South American colonization for such species. My interest in participating of SPSAS-evo is to exchange xperiences with researchers and to increase my knowledge in the area of biological evolution to be able to clarify, the best way possible, evolutionary issues involved in Americas’ colonization by the invasive species Z. indianus.

Miller, Skylar E.

Masters student, The Cape Eleuthera Institute/University of West Indies

The invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois sp.) in the Atlantic and Caribbean represents a unique and largely unexplored area of evolutionary biology. I am interested in investigating how non-invaded locations like Brazil, where lionfish invasion is predicted, can help address questions that may unveil the silver lining of this critically concerning situation – microevolution at work. I am excited to incorporate novel ideas into my future approach to lionfish research as I begin graduate work.

Paz, Andrea

Masters student, Universidade de Los Andes, Colombia

I am interested in investigating the importance of ecological variables in determining population structure, which may eventually lead to speciation. I am currently conducting research on the ecological and life history determinants of population structure of Panamanian frog communities. I have also been working on the application of DNA barcoding to identify frog specimens and exploring the potential use of this information in community ecology and phylogeography studies.

Rizzato, Pedro P.

Masters student, FFCLRP-USP, Brazil

Master student at FFCLRP-USP, developing research on Subterranean Biology, specifically Taxonomy and Evolution of Brazilian subterranean fishes. Major interests in Zoology, especially Taxonomy and Systematics, Morphology, and Evolution. My current research aims to investigate morphological and evolutionary patterns related to the hypogean way of life on six cavernicolous catfish species of the Neotropical genus Ituglanis Costa & Bockmann that colonized independently this habitat from perhaps the same ancestral, an interesting example of evolutionary parallelism.

Salinas-Saavedra, Miguel A. H.

Masters student, Universidad de Chile

I am Bachelor in Biology, nowadays (May) I am finishing my master in biological sciences and this year I will start my PhD studies at University of Hawai’i at Manoa. My research interests are many topics on Evo-Devo. Recently, I have done research on the evolutionary innovations of digit development in chicken, carrying out experiment of cell-labeling, cell fate-mapping of wing bud. Also I am working in some studies about evolution of the early development of animals, especially in process related to pattern of cellular divisions, ooplasmic segregation, distribution of maternal determinants and cytoskeletal dynamics.

Sheets, Elizabeth A.

Masters student, San Francisco State University, USA

I am a graduate student at San Francisco State University studying evolutionary ecology. My interests are in population genetics, systematics, and invasion biology. For my thesis, I am using a multi-gene approach to study the phylogeography of an invasive tunicate that is globally distributed in tropical waters. I am interested in comparing population diversity seen at neutral markers to a candidate allorecognition locus, to consider how invasion processes may affect functional diversity.

Silva, Filipe O.

Masters student, Harvard University, USA

I’m interested in Evolutionary Developmental Biology. I’m currently investigating the evolution of archosaur snout and focusing on the avian lineage. I’m evaluating and quantifying the shape changes that happened on snout of archosaurs during its evolution. In addition to that, I’m also conducting functional experiments that aim to recover ancestral-like snout morphology by modifying the spatial expression of target gene pathways that are know to act on the head development of chicken embryos.

Soares, Luana P.C.M.

Masters student, IGc-USP, Brazil

The Bocaina Formation (Corumbá Group) represents an important Neoproterozoic (Ediacaran) record in the Paraguay Belt, SW of Brazil. The formation is distinguished by diverse microbialites and also records a significant phosphogenesis event that preceded an explosion of macroscopic multicellular evident in the fossil record (Cloudina, Corumbella) of the Tamengo Formation, overlying. Associated with the phosphate are found “vase–shaped microfossils”, similar to testate amoebas, interpreted as early protistan heterotrophs. My work involves interpretation of the paleobiological significance of the fossils of the Bocaina Formation.

Vieira, Ana Paula M.

Masters student, UFRJ-MN, Brazil

My Master research project relies on a published well-supported and densely-sampled molecular time tree inferred from moderate to fast-evolving mitochondrial genes, and slow-evolving nuclear genes, for a clade formed by three genera of New World Direct developing Frogs (Lynchius, Orebates, and Phrynopus). My goal is to apply dispersal-vicariance analysis, morphological ancestral states reconstructions, and diversification rates analyses to infer historical factors responsible of ecomorphological and ecoregional diversity in the Neotropics.

Vitonis, João E. V. V.

Masters student, Unicamp, Brazil

I have interest in evolution, taxonomy and conservation of mollusks (especially gastropods), specifically using tools of phylogeny (molecular and morphologic), biogeography and paleontology. My current research project consists of the analyses of the genetic and morphologic variation of Stramonita brasiliensis Claremont & Reid 2011, an abundant marine gastropod species in Brazilian coast, in order to confirm previous data that it might be a complex of cryptic species.

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Barbosa, Emanuel C.

Undergraduate student at UFPI, Brazil

Nowadays, I develop research in Epistemological Evolution, because there is lack of knowledge or even disbelief of evolution theory in our society, conditioned to the way it is taught. In addition to this work, I do research on ecological herpetology more specifically the suborder Ophidia, but I intend to link the evolutionary biology to this area, because they are individuals with visible primitive traits.

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Cunha, Tauana J.

Undergraduate student at IBUSP-Zoologia, Brazil

My research interests include the evolutionary history, classification and biogeography of marine invertebrates. I have a special interest in the deep sea environment and in marine worms such as polychaetes. My current research project deals with sabellid taxonomy from the Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro. For my future research I intend to integrate the ecological and evolutionary perspectives in the study of marine worms, preferentially of deeper areas of the oceans.

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Kaminski, Valéria L.

Undergraduate student, UFSM, Brazil

Presently I'm graduating in Biological Sciences at Center of Natural and Exact Sciences of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) - RS since 2009. I'm part of Drosophila Molecular Biology Laboratory - LabDros - acting in the molecular biology area with emphasis in transposable elements' biology and evolution, and I'm on the begining of works with cell culture as well.

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Mourikis, Athanasios P.

Undergraduate student, University of Athens/Zografou University, Greece

My research revolves around the combination of experimental biology and bioinformatics. Currently, I am working on the assessment of the genetic diversity of Azorean endemic arthropod species. I am particularly interested in the study of the differentiation of animal taxa from a genetic perspective and the evolutionary processes governing this differentiation. The phylogeny/phylogeography and systematics of land-snails was also one of the projects that I was involved.

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Muñoz, Sergio A.

Undergraduate student, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia

I am interested in eukaryote evolution. My current research focuses on plastid genome evolution in Viridiplantae (green plants). I expect to get a synthetic picture of Viridiplantae plastid genome evolution through the analysis of sequence data and genomic organization. I hope to contribute to the resolution of deep relationships within the Viridiplantae tree by generating new sequence data from a prasinophyte and analyzing its plastid genomic organization.

Osés, Gabriel L.

Undergraduate student at IGUSP, Brazil

I am interested in paleontology, especially in insect and arachnid systematics and evolution. Currently, my main research project includes an inventory of the fossil arthropods from Crato Formation (northeastern Brazil) stored in the Institute of Geosciences of the University of São Paulo. I have also been using X-ray techniques and Raman laser to aid fossil identification and to develop taphonomical and evolutionary models. Another project is on the development of pedagogical material about paleontology.

Ribas-Rodrigues, Diana

Undergraduate student at UFABC, Brazil

I’m an undergraduate student of Biology at Fundação Santo André and also student of Bachelor of Science and Technology at Universidade Federal do ABC. I'm interested in Astrobiology and Evolution in Extremophilic microorganisms context, I'm working at Laboratory of Ecology of Microorganisms from the Oceanographic Institute (IO-USP) with samples from Antartic soil, involving the evaluation of the microbial diversity exposed by glacial retreat, hoping to have great results for future more understanding of these microorganisms.

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Santos, Vitória T.

Undergraduate student, UFRJ - Macaé, Brazil

In my work I'm studying the oogenesis and embryogenesis of the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus). I choosed this model because has few studies about chelicerates development. I'm studying the molecular mechanisms envolved in important processes during this period as the axes patterning. To study all of these processes, I'm performing antibody stainings, histological sections, in situ hybridizations and RNA interference.

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Sugawara, Mauro T. C.

Undergraduate student, IBUSP-Ecologia, Brazil

My goal is to i the processes that generate and maintain biodiversity. In my current research I try to answer the question: how much can we infer about the evolutionary dynamic of a clade based only in its molecular phylogeny? With that in mind I simulated several different evolutionary scenarios (i.e. different origination and extinction rates). Then I tested what kind of information is possible to extract from it.

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Wozniak, Natalia J.

Undergraduate student at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland

The field of my interests is reproductive and genetic diversity among closely related species. Moreover, I am interested in the evolution of sexual reproduction, the process of speciation both among sexually and asexually reproducing organisms and hypotheses explaining the coexistence of relatives which exhibit different types of reproduction. My current research focuses on sex-specific responses of Sphagnum palustre and Sphagnum angustifolium to drought measured on the physiological and genetic level.

Aguilar, María

Post-doc, Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Spain

I am interested in the biodiversity, evolutionary ecology and biogeography of free- living microorganisms. My previous work has been focused on a group of protists called mycetozoan slime molds (Amoebozoa). I have studied how their distribution patterns are influenced by climate and microhabitat characteristics, and used this information to elaborate predictive models. I have also explored the genetic and morphological variability of a cryptospecies complex in a phylogeographic context at a global scale.

Kitahara, Marcelo V.

Post-doc, CEBIMar USP, Brazil

I'm a Brazilian researcher working on the systematics and evolution of scleractinian corals, more specifically trying to understand the position of deep-water representatives in the evolutionary history of the order. Presently, I'm a postdoctoral researcher at the Marine Biology Centre (CEBIMar) of the São Paulo University.

Lemer, Sarah M. E.

Post-doc, CRIOBE - Le Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l’Environnement de Polynésie Française, France

I am interested in connectivity, phylogeography and local adaptation of marine organisms in relation to habitat modification. During my PhD I explored how fragmented marine populations evolve in their environment with respect to habitat fragmentation and Pleistocene sea level fluctuations. Currently I am investigating bivalve shell color variation genetic determinism and working on phylogenetic, biogeography and functional ecology to assess the ecological determinants of diversification in cosmopolite marine invertebrate species of a bivalve family.

Macias-Hernandez, Nuria

Post-Doc, Aarhus University, Denmark

My main research interest is the study of evolutionary biology, focuses in adaptive radiations by combining molecular and morphological approaches. My current research project aims reveal the factors that promote morphological diversification due to food specialization, using as a model organism the spider genus Dysdera in the Canary Islands. The project combines systematics, prey preferences and nutritional experiments, besides molecular prey detection approaches to decipher the role of specialization in morphological evolution of Dysdera.

Miño, Carolina I.

Post-Doc, UFSCar, Brazil

My long-term research interests lie in the field of molecular ecology, population genetics and biodiversity conservation. I am currently developing research aimed to better understand how genetic variation, estimated through the use of genetic markers, is distributed at different hierarchical levels – familial, populational, suprapopulational, specific and supraspecific - in different animal groups (aquatic birds, mammals, hymenopterans, fishes and shrimps). I am a Geneticist, with M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Genetics and Evolution.

Parfrey, Laura W.

Post-Doc, University of Colorado, USA

At the broadest level I use a phylogenetic framework to address questions pertaining to the diversity of microbial eukaryotes at the level of taxa, genomes, and within the environment. My work has clarified the structure of the eukaryotic tree and the early diversification of the domain by focusing on incorporating diverse microbial lineages. In my current research I am assessing the broad patterns of eukaryotic distribution across free-living and host-associated environments with high-throughput sequencing technologies.

Scolari, Francesca

Post-Doc, University of Pavia, Italy

Francesca Scolari is a Post-Doc in the Laboratory of Insect Evolutionary Molecular Biology at the University of Pavia (Italy). Her research activity is centered on the development of new tools for the genetic control of insect pests of economic importance, such as the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. Her main research interests deal with the reproductive biology of Dipteran species, namely sperm use mechanisms, identification of seminal fluid proteins, and development of insect transgenic lines.

Vasco, Alejandra

Post-Doc, The New York Botanical Gardens, USA

My main research interests are the diversity and evolution of ferns and lycophytes. I work primarily in the systematics of the tropical fern genus Elaphoglossum and in leaf development and evolution of ferns. I use molecular, anatomical and morphological data, both to understand the evolutionary relationships of ferns, and the molecular genetic basis of fern leaf development.

Wang, Mei-Hui

Post-Doc, University of California Irvine, USA

I completed my BS and MS in Entomology in Taiwan and received my PhD degree in EEB in US. Now I am doing my postdoctoral research at UC Irvine. My research topic now is to study the relationship between chromosomal inversion and stress resistance in malaria mosquitoes. It is not clear how the genomic profiles are differentiated based on the environmental adaptation and the interplay between natural selection and gene differentiation. The genome wide approach is mostly used to clarify my research subject.

Elnagdy, Sherif M.

Young Faculty, Cairo University, Egypt

I`m interested in studying inherited endosymbionts. These endosymbionts manipulate the sexual reproduction of their host for the sake of their own fitness. These endosymbionts can be used in many sides of life such as medical (fighting diseases especially the tropical ones), agricultural (using these endosymbionts for pests biocontrol) and finally environmental (studying their effect on the population level of their host and also studying their impact on the biodiversity of the ecosystem they inhabit).