Ana M. Palacio, Ph.D.
NRC postdoctoral research fellow at NOAA-AOML
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Webpage:
anapalacioc.wixsite.com/mysite
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Phone:
1 (305) 361-4516
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Email:
apalacio@rsmas.miami.edu ana.maria.palacio@noaa.gov
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Address:
4301 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149
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RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2019-Current
Postdoctoral researcher
NOAA - AOML
I investigate the genetic basis of disease resistance in the threatened Caribbean staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis. I also assess potential trade-offs associated with disease resistance and how the environment shapes these tradeoffs. My research
is focused on improving coral restoration efforts by providing information about the advantages and risks of trait selection.
2013-2018
Graduate research assistant
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI -
CORAL REEF FUTURES LAB
I implemented field and laboratory experiments to understand the mechanisms underlying differential coral bleaching susceptibility.
• Identified dynamic changes in Symbiodiniaceae communities during heat stress and recovery using qPCR.
• Tested what coral species increase their temperature tolerance through the acquisition of thermotolerant symbionts during natural bleaching events in Florida and Panama.
• Assessed the effect of elevated nutrients and CO2 on pre-bleaching symbiont communities and further bleaching susceptibility.
2011-2012
Research assistant
UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTIOQUIA - GAIA
For multiple monitoring programs.
Functions: • Field trips planning • Data collection
2010-2011
Research assistant
UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE
Project "Comparison of methods used for assessing the status of coral reefs in the Tropical Eastern Pacific Seascape and preliminary analysis of the resilience of coral reefs of Gorgona Island National Natural Park (Colombia)"
Functions: • Field trips planning • Data collection • Statistical analysis of data • Preparation of final reports
EDUCATION
2013-2019
Doctorate Degree
MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI - RSMAS (US)
Award of academic merit.
Dissertation: Abiotic controls on endosymbiotic algal communities and their implications for coral bleaching susceptibility and recovery. Advisor: Andrew C. Baker
2003-2010
Bachelor's Degree
BIOLOGY
UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTIOQUIA (COL)
Thesis: Comparison of methods for monitoring sessile benthic communities in “La Azufrada”, coral reef, Gorgona Island National Natural Park. Advisor: Fernando A. Zapata
PUBLICATIONS
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES
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Fuess LE., Palacio-Castro AM, Butler CC, Baker AC, Mydlarz LD. 2020. “Increased algal symbiont density reduces host immunity in a threatened Caribbean coral species, Orbicella faveolata"; 8: 369. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2020.572942
Romero-Torres, M., A. Acosta, AM. Palacio-Castro, EA. Treml, F. Zapata, D. Paz-García, JM. Porter. 2020. “Coral reef resilience to thermal stress in the eastern tropical Pacific”. Glob Change Biol. 26: 3880–3890. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15126
Towle, EK., AM. Palacio-Castro, AC. Baker, and C. Langdon. 2017. “Source location and food availability determine the growth response of Orbicella faveolata to climate change stressors.” Regional Studies in Marine Science 10.
PRESENTATIONS
CONFERENCES
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2018 Palacio-Castro, AM., Snyder, GA., Dennison, C., Baker, AC “Multiple bleaching events in Siderastrea siderea increase the abundance and persistence of thermotolerant algal symbionts (Symbiodinium trenchii), with positive effects on subsequent bleaching response”. Reef Futures 2018: A Coral Restoration and Intervention-Science Symposium, Key Largo, USA.
2018 Cabral, G., Karp R., Palacio-Castro AM., Strueben, M., Lirman, D., Baker, AC. “Testing in situ stress hardening techniques to increase the climate resilience of a coral restoration program in South Florida”. Reef Futures 2018: A Coral Restoration and Intervention-Science Symposium, Key Largo, USA.
2018 Palacio-Castro, AM., Snyder, GA., Dennison, C., Baker, AC “Symbiodiniaceae community dynamics in the starlet coral (Siderastrea siderea) during two experimental bleaching and recovery events”. Colombia 2018: International Conference on Marine Science, Medellín, Colombia.
2016 Palacio-Castro, AM., Snyder, GA., Baker, AC “Effect of balanced and imbalanced nutrient enrichment on the bleaching response of two Caribbean corals during heat stress”. 13th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS), Honolulu, USA.
2016 Smith, TB., Baker, AC., Brandtneris, VW., Glynn, PW., Manzello, DP., Maté, JL., McGillis, WR., Palacio, AM., Fong, P. “Bleaching and depth refuges in the Eastern Pacific during the strong 2015-2016 El Niño”. 13th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS), Honolulu, USA.
2013 Palacio-Castro, AM. “Comparison of three different methods for monitoring sessile benthic communities on coral reefs”. 7Th Mexican and 1st Pan-American coral Reef Congress, Mérida, Mexico.
2010 Palacio-Castro, AM. & Palacios M del M. “Characterization of the coral morphotypes of Pocillopora genus present in Malpelo Wildlife Sanctuary”. XIX National Seminar on Science and Technology of the Sea (SENALMAR), Cali, Colombia.
TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPERIENCE
TEACHING​
2018 Guest Lecturer: Universidad CES. Lecture: Corales en el antropoceno: Efectos del calentamiento climático en los corales pétreos.
2016 Guest Lecturer: University of Miami - MBE 535/ 635: Practical Computing for Biologists. Lecture: Version control and reproducible science.
2016 Teaching assistant: University of Miami – Study abroad program. MSC422: Marine Ecology of The Galapagos.
2015 Teaching assistant: University of Miami, MSC232: Introduction to Marine biology Laboratory
MENTORING
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Master committee member:
* Danielle Kroesche, University of Miami (MPS, 2020)
Undergrad thesis co-director
* Elizabeth Quiceno, Universidad de Antioquia (BS, 2020)
Research mentor (Master students)
* 2019-2020 Danielle Kroesche (MPS)
* 2015 Marine-Océane Guillermard (1 semester exchange program from France)
* 2015 Juliene Beblo (MPS)
Research mentor (Undergraduate students)
* 2017 - 2018 Sofia Diaz de Villegas
* 2017: Celia Leto
* 2016 - 2017: Prati Rosen
* 2016 - 2017: Rebecca Gilpin
* 2015 – 2018: Caroline Dennison
* 2016: Karim Primov
* 2015: Elana Rusnak
* 2014 - 2016: Grace Snyder
* 2014: Patrick Nichols
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High school students
* Hannah Waxman (2014-2017)
RESEARCH EXPEDITIONS
2014 Gulf of Panama and Chiriquí (Panama)
2014 Gorgona Island (Colombia)
2011 Gorgona Island (Colombia)
2018 Gulf of Panama and Chiriquí (Panama)
2016 Gulf of Panama (Panama)
2015 Gulf of Panama and Chiriquí (Panama)
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2009 Malpelo Island (Colombia)
SKILLS
~ 300 scientific dives
AAUS Scientific diver
PADI AWARE coral reef conservation and Advanced diver
DAN diving first aid (DFA Pro)
Spanish - Native
English - Proficient
CONTACT ME
Ana M. Palacio-Castro, Ph.D.
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Phone:
1 (305) 361-4400
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Email:
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