María Pilar Catalán Rodríguez
Centre: Area de Botánica. E. Politécnica Superior de Huesca
Institution: University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza (Spain)
Position: Researcher from the University of Zaragoza
E-mail: pcatalan@unizar.es
Phone: 974 232465
Profile: Click here
Personal statement
I graduated in Biology in 1980 (Navarra University, Spain) and obtained my PhD in 1987 (Basque Country University, Spain). I was postdoc researcher at Leicester University (UK) (1989-1991) and at Colorado and Harvard Universities (USA) (1993-1994). I am Professor in Botany at the University of Zaragoza since 2008, visiting Professor at Tomsk State University (Russia) (2014-2021), member of the Spanish National Board (2006-2010), and head of the research team Bioflora, a reference team recognised by the Government of Aragon since 2002, based at the Escuela Politécnica Superior de Huesca (EPSH, Unizar) campus. My research focuses on plant evolutionary biology, speciation, hybridization, polyploidization, ecological adaptation, landscape genetics and comparative genomics of monocots, especially temperate grasses (Pooideae, Brachypodium, Loliinae). I became a member of the BIFI in 2012, opening a new research line on genomic and evolutionary analyses of plants and interacting with researchers working in plant physiology and bioinformatics.
Researcher profile identity
I am an R1 researcher. My lab has implemented new approaches in analysis of genomic inheritance in plant polyploids. I was one of the coauthors proposing Brachypodium distachyon as a model plant for monocots and grasses in the early 90s. Since then, I have performed comparative genomics and phylogenomic analyses of the sequenced Brachypodium species genomes, the genealogical analysis of the B. distachyon and B. sylvaticum pangenomes, and the consequences of the time course multiple origins of Brachypodium allopolyploids. I have investigated the phylogeny of temperate grasses (Pooideae) and the evolution and systematics of fescues and ray-grasses (Loliinae) since 1997. My lab has reconstructed the largest and most updated molecular phylogenies of Loliinae (Festuca and close allied genera) to date. We are currently investigating the coevolution of temperate grasses and their endophytes.
Why my research is important
Since 1995, I have participated in 29 research grants and 11 applied research contracts. I supervised 14 PhD students and trained 38 postdoctoral researchers, and research fellows from 15 countries. Since 2000, I have led scientific networks with Venezuelan, Argentinean and Ecuadorian institutions. I have published 200 articles, presenting the main results of our research, and five books and book chapters on taxonomy, plant diversity and botanical guides. I have also been an external PhD examiner 30 times since 1988. My teaching experience includes six international postgraduate courses on plant systematics and evolution and comparative genomics of plants, master’s degree on phylogeny and evolution and biodiversity and population genetics, and undergraduate courses on biology, plant biology and management and conservation of endangered flora since 1992. Since 2017, I have been a Corresponding member of the Botanical Society of America.
Know more about me and my research
– https://bifi.es/es/team/maria-pilar-catalan-rodriguez/
– https://bioflora.web.bifi.es/
