University of Missouri María José Ruiz-López, PhD Curriculum Vitae Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences School of Natural Resources 302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 USA Phone number: 573-882-4531 e-mail: ruizlopezm@missouri.edu
Education 2009 PhD. Biology. Faculty of Biology. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. 2005 Advanced Studies Diploma in Genetics. Faculty of Biology. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. 2004 Teaching Certificate. Speciality: Natural Sciences. Faculty of Education Sciences. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. 2002 M.Sc. Biology, speciality: Zoology. Faculty of Biology. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. Research interest Population genetics of small populations: understanding how demographic, ecological and behavioral factors shape genetic diversity in small and fragmented populations. Disease ecology: Disease transmission and analyses of host genetic factors determining susceptibility to diseases and its influence on the host-parasite dynamics. Inbreeding depression: Assessing what are the effects on fitness and population viability of an increase in inbreeding and reduction of genetic diversity in endangered populations. Next-generation genomic tools: Applications in population and conservation genomics and the study of host-parasite dynamics. Research positions 2010-Present Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. (Research advisors: Dr. Matt Gompper and Dr. Lori Eggert) 2009 Postdoctoral research Assistant, Reproductive Ecology and Biology Group, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain. (Research advisors: Dr. Montserrat Gomendio and Dr. Eduardo Roldán) 2008 Research Assistant, Reproductive Ecology and Biology Group, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain. (Research advisors: Dr. Montserrat Gomendio and Dr. Eduardo Roldán) 2004-2008 Predoctoral Research Fellow, Reproductive Ecology and Biology Group, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain. (Research advisors: Dr. Montserrat Gomendio and Dr. Eduardo Roldán) Teaching experience 2012 Teaching Assistant: Mammalogy (BIO 3660), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri. 2012 Guest Lecturer: Mammalogy (BIO 3660), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri. 2
2011 Guest Lecturer: Molecular Ecology (BIO 4983), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri. 2010 Discussion facilitator and Guest Lecturer: Ecological Genetics (BIO 8700), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri. 2009 Substitute Teacher: Biology, Mathematics, Natural Sciences. High School level (Ages 14-16). Nuestra Señora de Begoña School. Publications Ruiz-López, MJ, Gompper M, Monello R, Eggert LS. The effect and relative importance of neutral genetic diversity for predicting parasitism varies across parasite taxa. (Submitted to Plos One) Alda, F, Ruiz-Lopez, MJ, García, FJ, Gompper, M, Eggert LS, García, JT. Genetic evidence for multiple introduction events of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Spain (In revision in Biological Invasions) Ruiz-López, MJ, Gañan, N, Godoy, JA, Olmo del, Ana, Garde, J, Espeso, G, Vargas, A, Martinez, F, Roldán, ERS, Gomendio, M. Heterozygosity-fitness correlations among critically endangered mammals do detect inbreeding depression. Conservation Biology (minor revision) Ruiz-Lopez, MJ, Chaskelson Saskia, Gompper M, Eggert L. Multiple Paternity in the American Dog Tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) (In press Journal of Parasitology) Ruiz-López, MJ, Espeso, G, Evenson, DP, Roldán, ERS, Gomendio, M. Paternal levels of DNA damage in spermatozoa and maternal parity influence offspring mortality in an endangered ungulate.(2010) Proceedings of the Royal Society, series B 277, 2541-2546. Ruiz-López, MJ, Evenson DP, Espeso, G, Gomendio, M, Roldán, ERS. High levels of DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa are associated with inbreeding and poor semen quality in endangered ungulates. (2010) Biology of Reproduction 83, 332-338. Ruiz-López, MJ, Gomendio, M, Espeso, G, Roldán, ERS. Pedigrees and microsatellites among endangered ungulates: what do they tell us? (2009) Molecular Ecology 18:1352-1364. Ruiz, MJ, Roldán, ER, Rey, I. Malo, AF, Gomendio, M. Genetic variability influences physical condition in male roe deer. (2007) Galemys, 19 (2): 159-168. Books Machordom, A., Alcaraz, L., Ruiz-López, M. J. and Horcajada, F. 2008. Filogenia, evolución y variabilidad genética/ Phylogeny, evolution, and genetic variability. pp. 79-95. In: Ecología y caracterización genética de las poblaciones de corzo en la Comunidad de Madrid/ Ecology and genetics of the roe deer population at the Madrid Region. Fundación para la Investigación y el Desarrollo Ambiental (FIDA) (Eds.). 3
Invited Presentations (*Presenter) Ruiz-Lopez, MJ*. Understanding the role of genetic diversity in predicting parasitism. Truman State University, Missouri, 24 February 2012. Ruiz-Lopez, MJ*. Using genetics to understand host-parasite dynamics Ecolunch Seminar Series, Division of Biological Sciences. Seminar. University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, March 2011. Ruiz-López, MJ*, Roldán, ERS, Gomendio, M. The importance of sperm DNA integrity among endangered species Charles Schwartz Fisheries and Wildlife Seminar series. Invited Seminar. University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. February 2011. Roldán, ERS*, Ruiz-López, MJ, Espeso, G, Gomendio, M. DNA integrity, sperm quality, fertility and offspring mortality. Tecnobios Procreazione Symposium 2010. Bologna (Italy), 24-25 November 2010. Ruiz-López, MJ*. Conservation genetics: use in the study of endangered populations/ Genética de la conservación: su aplicación en el estudio de poblaciones amenazadas. XII Jornadas AVAFES, Zaragoza: Ungulados silvestres. Invited Seminar. Zaragoza (Spain) March 2009. Contributed Presentations (*Presenter) Hunt, AF, Mowry, RA, Ruiz-López, MJ, Eggert, LS. The effects of habitat fragmentation on Social Structure of Asian Elephants. Poster communication. Missouri Life Science Week, Columbia, Missouri, 16-20 April 2012. Ruiz-López, MJ*, Stacey L. Lance, Monello R, Gompper M, Eggert LS. Characterization of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) DRB Exon 2 in raccoons using Next- Generation Sequencing. Oral communication. Next-gen sequencing: Data acquisition, comparative genomics, design and analysis for population genetics, systematics and development, National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, Duke, North Carolina, 15-26 August 2011. Ruiz-López, MJ*, Stacey L. Lance, Monello R, Gompper M, Eggert LS. Characterization of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) DRB Exon 2 in raccoons using Next- Generation Sequencing. Poster communication. Genomics and Biodiversity, Guanajuato-Irapuato, Mexico, 23-26 July 2011. Chaskelson Saskia*, Ruiz-Lopez, MJ, Gompper M, Eggert L. A preliminary assessment of multiple paternity in the American Dog Tick Dermacentor Variabilis. Poster communication. Missouri Life Science Week, Columbia, Missouri, 18-23 April 2011. Ruiz-López, MJ*, Espeso, G, Evenson D, Roldán, ERS, Gomendio, M. The importance of sperm DNA integrity among endangered species Student Conference on Conservation Science New York (SCCS-NY), 3-5 November 2010. Ruiz-López, MJ*, Gompper M, Monello R, Eggert LS. Relative importance of neutral genetic diversity for predicting parasite load. Oral communication. Evolution 2010. Portland, Oregon, 25-29 June 2010. 4
Ruiz-López, MJ*, Monello R, Gompper M, Eggert LS. Factors influencing contact rates in raccoons: the role of genetic relatedness. Poster communication. Missouri Life Science Week, Columbia, Missouri, 12-17 April 2010. Ruiz-López, MJ*, Roldán, ERS., Espeso, G, Gomendio, M. Pedigrees and microsatellites: what do they tell us when species are endangered 12 th Congress of The European Society for Evolutionary Biology. Poster communication. Turin, (Italy) 24-29 August 2009. Ruiz-López, MJ*, Roldán, ERS, Espeso, G, Gomendio, M. Inbreeding and genetic variability in a captive breeding programme of endangered ungulates. Poster communication. 11 th Congress of The European Society for Evolutionary Biology. Uppsala, (Sweden) 20-25 August 2007. Ruiz-López, MJ*, Roldán, ERS, Rey, I, Malo, AF, Gomendio, M. La variabilidad genética influye sobre la condición física en machos de corzo. Poster communication. VII Jornadas de la Sociedad Española de Conservación y Estudios de Mamíferos. Valencia (Spain), December 2005. Participation in research projects 2011-2012 Genetic census of Asian Elephant populations at Seppon (Lao PDR), and Northern Plains and Seima National Parks (Cambodia). Wildlife Conservation Society. Main researcher: Lori Eggert. 2010-present Relative importance of genetic diversity for predicting parasitism NSF founded project. Main researchers: Matt Gompper and Lori Eggert 2007-2009 Reproduction in endangered ungulates: development of reproductive biotechnologies for management. Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. Main researcher: Dr. Montserrat Gomendio Kindelan. 2006-2007 Genetic variability analyses of the roe deer population at the Peñalara Natural Park. Regional Environment and Territory Ministry of Madrid. Main researcher: Dr. Annie Machordom. 2006 Genetic variability and behaviour in the dipper populations at the Lake of Zurich. University of Zurich (Switzerland). Main researchers: Dr. Johann Hegelbach, and Dr. Lukas Keller. 2005 Genetic variability of the MHCII in the Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus). University of Cambridge. Molecular Ecology Lab. Department of Zoology. (United Kingdom). Main researcher: Dr. William Amos. 2004-2005 Genetic variability analyses of male roe deer. Autonomous Government of Castilla y León, Spain. Main researcher: Dr. Eduardo Roldán. 2004-2007 Development of reproductive biotechnologies for the conservation of South American Felines. Beginning of a genetic resource bank. BBVA Foundation. Main researcher: Dra. Montserrat Gomendio Kindelán. 2004-2006 Reproduction of endangered ungulates: use of assisted reproductive techniques to solve conservation problems. Ministry of Science and Technology. Main researcher: Dr. Montserrat Gomendio Kindelan. 5
2003 Study of the behavioural evolution of a new Lemur catta troop at Knuthenborg Safari Park Knuthenborg Safari Park (Lolland, Denmark). Advisor: Knud Erik Heller PhD, D.Sc, Associated Professor at Behavioural Biology Department: University of Copenhagen (Denmark). 2001-2002 Anatomic adaptations of the Tetrapoda locomotor system Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Faculty of Biology. Department of Animal Biology I. Advisor: Dr. Manuel Fernández Cruz. Grants, Awards, and Honors 2011 The National Evolutionary Sythesis Center Travel award $300 2010 University of Missouri Postdoctoral Association Travel award $300 2006 Travel award of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science 2400 (aprox $3120) 2005 Travel award of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science 1800 (aprox $2340) 2004-2008 Predoctoral Scholarship of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. 48,000 (aprox $62,400) 2003 Erasmus Graduate Scholarship from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid to study at the University of Copenhagen. 2001-2002 Scholarship of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science for undergraduates to work in the university departments. Department of Animal Biology I, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. 1800 (aprox $2340) Selected Courses and Workshops Data acquisition, comparative genomics, design and analysis for population genetics, systematics and development, National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, Duke, North Carolina, 15-26 August 2011. US-Mexico Workshop on Evolutionary Genomics of Non-Model Species, Irapuato, Mexico 18-22 July 2011. Entering Mentoring Program. University of Missouri, Columbia. Spring semester 2011. Students supervised Amanda Hunt, 2011-2012: Junior undergraduate student. I supervise genetic data analyses, and co-supervise laboratory work with the lab technician. The aim of her project is to analyses changes in social structure in endangered populations of Asian Elephant. The research has generated a poster communication. Saskia Chaskelson, 2010-2011: Senior undergraduate student that worked through and NSF extension for undergraduate research. I supervised data collection, laboratory work, genetic data analyses and writing. The research aim was to assess the methods to study multiple paternity in American dog tick to study the effect of host infrapopulation size 6
on mating behavior. The research has generated a poster communication and an article that has been accepted in Journal of Parasitology. Rebecca Shatluck 2011: University of Missouri life science graduate fellow that joined the lab for 10 weeks as part of a laboratory rotation scheme. I supervised data analyses aiming to understand the relative importance of relatedness in parasite sharing among hosts. Alberto Castelló 2007: Graduate student. Helped analyze the genetic diversity of museum samples to study the relationship among the founder populations of a captive breeding program. This research is part of one of my PhD dissertation chapters. Technical skills Molecular biology and genetics Analytical and technical skills in molecular biology and genetics working with mrna and DNA from fresh (including non-invasive samples) and ancient samples (museum), using both traditional techniques (PCR, q-pcr, sequencing, cloning, and fragment analyses) and nextgeneration sequencing approaches (Roche FLX Genome Sequencer platform). Computational skills Basic programming skills using Perl, used mainly to analyze Next-Generation sequencing data, and design basic analyses pipelines. In addition, knowledge of standard pipelines such as Galaxy, and basic knowledge of population genomics software like STACKS. Field work Experience trapping ungulates, birds and carnivores and experience obtaining non-invasive samples from these groups. Behavioral studies of primates in semi-captive conditions. Service and Outreach 2012 Poster Judge in the Missouri Life Science Week, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. 2011 Poster Judge in the Missouri Life Science Week, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. 2010 Hamilton Award Judge, Evolution 2010, Portland, Oregon. 2010 Poster Judge in the Undergraduate Creative Achievements Forum, Columbia, Missouri. 2010-present Web manager, MU Postdoctoral Association. 2002 Life Science Week instructor, Madrid, Spain. Press coverage Research highlighted in: Purnell, BA. Better Breeding (2010) Science 328, 1455. 7