The Team – Microepics Protists Guadarrama

Microepics is a cooperative interdisciplinary team that recently formed as a research group to develop a shared and complementary vision for the study of the biological and geological diversity of natural ecosystems. The team includes researchers, lecturers and students from the Faculties of Biology and Geology at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Faculty of Sciences of the National University of Distance Education (UNED), and researchers from two foreign institutions (the Natural History Museum, NHM, London, UK; and North Carolina Central University, NCCU, USA), whose research experience embraces the areas of general microbiology and public health, protistology, microbial ecology, geology, botany, molecular biology, biostatistics and biogeography.

Several members of the research team have spent years studying in the Regional Park Cuenca Alta del Manzanares (now the PNSG) conducting research projects funded by official government agencies and in close cooperation with the management of the Park. They have detailed knowledge of both the park where the project is developed and the Spanish legislation applied to the conservation of natural heritage and biodiversity.

The Team

Mercedes Martín-Cereceda

Microepics Principal Investigator

Specialist in the study of the taxonomy and ecology of protists in freshwater and marine habitats. Her work focuses on the systematic and trophic relationships using microscopy and molecular tools. She has collaborated with Blanca Perez-Uz in several research projects on wastewater protists and they are coauthors of identification guides on protist taxonomy and ecology.

Blanca Pérez-Uz

Dpto Microbiología III, F. Biología, UCM

Specialist in taxonomic and ecological studies of protists in freshwater and marine habitats. Her work focuses on the study of systematic and trophic relationships using microscopic and molecular techniques. She has collaborated with Mercedes Martin-Cereceda in several research projects on wastewater protists and they are coauthors of identification guides on protist taxonomy and ecology.

Pablo Quintela-Alonso

Dpto Microbiología III, F. Biología, UCM

Postdoctoral researcher contracted to Microepics. He is expert in techniques for identifying ciliates in the natural environment. He has participated in environmental management projects and has a diploma in environmental consultancy.

Benito Muñoz-Araújo

Dpto. Zoología y Antropología Física, F. Biología, UCM

Specialist in vertebrates parasites, including protists pathogens, and Professor of Parasitology. He knows the study area well, and has carried out three research projects in the study area in last 10 years with Pablo Refoyo.

 

Pablo Refoyo

Dpto. Zoología y Antropología Física, F. Biología, UCM

Specialist in vertebrates parasites, including protists pathogens, and Professor of Parasitology. He knows the study area well, and has carried out three research projects in the study area in last 10 years with Benito Muñoz-Araújo.

 

Abel Sánchez

Dpto. Biomatemática, F. Biología, UCM

Expert in statistical analysis in a biological context, who with Antonio Murciano, will be invaluable for the experimental design of sampling and integrative analyses of the biotic and abiotic data matrix generated during the project.

Antonio Murciano

Dpto. Biomatemática, F. Biología, UCM

Expert in statistical analysis in a biological context, who with Abel Sánchez will be invaluable for the experimental design of sampling and integrative analyses of the biotic and abiotic data matrix generated during the project.

 

Manuel García-Rodríguez

Dpto. Ciencias Analíticas, F. Ciencias, UNED

Expert in hydrogeology and geomorphology, with research experience at multiple institutions (UCM, CIEMAT, UAX, UAH). For some years his work has focused on the study of weathering and granitic forms in La Pedriza.

 

Juan de Dios Centeno

Dpto. Geodinámica, F Geología, UCM

Specialist in geomorphology, particularly in granitic regions, Pleistocene glacial landscapes and the relief of the Iberian Central System. He also works regularly on outreach projects for Earth and Environmental Sciences

Miguel Angel Sanz

Dpto. Geodinámica, F Geología, UCM

Co-author of the first book published on the granitic forms in La Pedriza, and works actively to popularize Earth Sciences. He is also expert in the application of GIS to resolve environmental and geomorphological problems.

 

Esperanza Montero

Dpto. Geodinámica, F. Geología, UCM

Specialist in studies of hydrogeology, hydrochemistry and water pollution.

 

Agustín Senderos

Dpto. Geodinámica, F Geología, UCM

Specialist in hydrology and microbiology of groundwater. He is a biologist and geologist.

Richard Williams

Dpto. Zoología y Antropología Física, F. Biología, UCM

Specialist in applying ecological niche modelling techniques to a diverse range of organisms, from viruses to vertebrates, which will be of particular interest to future studies on protist biogeography. He is also responsible for the English version of this blog.

 

Pilar Calvo

Dpto. Microbiología III, F. Biología, UCM

Specialist on the taxonomy of protists, who devotes her current research to teaching and popularizing microbiology and the history of science, collaborating on numerous projects aiming to transfer scientific knowledge to undergraduate students and society in general.

 

Gisela Oliván

Dpto. Biología Vegetal, F. Biología, UCM

Specialist with a broad background in the systematics and ecology of bryophytes. She has recently led projects on peatland ecology and conservation. Her expertise will be essential for the potential application to the future ecosystem services of protists.

Ismael Velasco-González

Dpto. Microbiología III, F. Biología, UCM

Undergraduate biology student at UCM. He has an exhaustive knowledge of the study area. He helps with choice of sampling sites, and with Microepics micrographs and infographics.

Three researchers at overseas institutions, all leaders in protist research, are also participating:

Dr Warren (the Natural History Museum, London, UK) is an expert in the taxonomy and systematics of ciliates of natural and artificial environments. He participates in numerous ciliates biodiversity projects around the world.

Dr. Bass (The Natural History Museum, London, UK), is a specialist in biodiversity, phylogeny and ecology of protists and a founding member of the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL).

Dr. Clamp (North Carolina Central University, USA), researches ciliate systematics and is the coordinator of the International Coordinating Network for Biodiversity Research of Ciliates (IRCN-BC), whose aim is to act as engine for the study of ciliate protists, and for creating and funding opportunities for new research collaboration.