Marisol Domínguez

Hi! I am Marisol Domínguez, a evolutionary biologist and conservation geneticist in the research group of  Prof. Dr. Ralph Tiedemann  in the Institute of Biochemistry and Biology at the University of Potsdam, in Germany.

I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina where I obtained my bachelor and PhD degree in Biological Sciences. Then, I move to Europe for postdocs in Paris and Berlin. I have been interested in questions related to the evolution of endangered species, and I have worked mainly with birds, but also with plants and arachnids as model species.

My current research area is the vertebrate evolutionary genomics, integrating population genetics with epigenomics.

• 2011 – 2015 Philosophical doctor in Biological Sciences. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Starting Date: 04/2011. Thesis approved on 21/12/2015.

• 2005 – 2011 Biological Sciences Degree (Orientation: Genetics and Evolution). Issued by: Universidad de Buenos Aires. Thesis approved on 18/03/2011.

• CURRENT POSITION:

2022 – Present Research Scientist

Independent researcher with teaching duties in evolutionary biology. Unit of Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Biology, University of Potsdam, Germany.

2020 - 2022 Tenured Researcher National Council of Scientific and Technologic Research (CONICET), Argentina (Voluntary leave without pay).

●   PREVIOUS POSITIONS:

2020 – 2022 Postdoctoral Fellow

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH). University of Potsdam, Germany. Research project: Study of interspecific introgression in a threatened bird species of Argentina with asymmetric sex ratio. Advisor: Dr  Ralph Tiedemann .

2018 – 2019 Postdoctoral Fellow

Centre National de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure IBENS, Paris, France. Research project: Study of the impact of transposable elements on tomato diversity. Advisor: Dr  Leandro Quadrana .

2016 – 2018 Postdoctoral Fellow

Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Research project: Study of the variability of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in threatened populations of yellow cardinals (Gubernatrix cristata). Advisors: Dra  Bettina   Mahler  y Dr Ralph Tiedemann

2016 – 2018  Technical reports (N=15) for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Nation and University of Buenos Aires: "Genetic identification of the geographical origin of confiscated cardinals, guidance of their release, and monitoring their success using radiotelemetry".

2014 – 2016 Scientific adviser

Yellow Cardinal Conservation Project of NGO Aves Argentinas. National censuses of yellow cardinals, training courses for wildlife trafficking control agencies and education campaigns in schools.  

18. Domínguez, M., Arantes, L., Lavinia, P., Bergjürgen, N., Casale, A., Fracas, P., Lijtmaer, D., Tubaro, P., Sparmann, S., Mbedi, S., Mazzoni, C., Mahler, B., & Tiedemann, R. (2024). Genomics reveal population structure and intergeneric hybridization in an endangered South American bird: implications for management and conservation. Ecology and Evolution, DOI:10.1002/ece3.70820.

17. Stankowski, S. [..], Domínguez, M. et al. 2024. Toward the integration of speciation research. Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 3, Issue 1. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/evolinnean/kzae001.

16. Bocaccio, H., Domínguez, M., Mahler, B., Reboreda, J.C., Mindlin, G. 2023. Identification of dialects and individuals of globally threatened yellow cardinals using neural networks. Ecological Informatics, 78: 102372. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2023.10237.

15. Fracas, P., Rojas Ripari, J.M., Mahler, B. & Domínguez, M .2023. Yellow Cardinal Gubernatrix cristata males’ respond more strongly to local than to foreign dialects. IBIS, 165, 1318–1330. DOI: 10.1111/ibi.13206.

14. Escalante, I., Domínguez, M., Gomez-Ruiz, D., Machado, G. 2022. Benefits and costs of mixed-species aggregations in harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9, 1-24 . DOI: 0.3389/fevo.2021.766323.

13. Fiorini, V., Domínguez M., Swaddle, J. & Reboreda, J.C. 2021. A recent invasive population of the European starling Sturnus vulgaris has lower genetic diversity and higher fluctuating asymmetry than primary invasive and native populations. Biological Invasions, 24, 437–448 . DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02653-x.

12. Domínguez M., Dugas, E., Benchouaia, M., Leduque, B., Jimenez-Gomez J., Colot, V., Quadrana, L. 2020. The impact of transposable elements on tomato diversity. Nature Communications, 11, 4058. DOI:  10.1038/s41467-020-17874-2 

11.   Domínguez M., Lapido R., Gorrindo A., Archuby D., Correa, E., Llanos, F., . . . Mahler B. 2020. A citizen science survey discloses the current distribution of the endangered Yellow Cardinal Gubernatrix cristata in Argentina. Bird Conservation International, 1-12. DOI: 10.1017/S0959270920000155.

10.  Domínguez M., Pizzarello G., Atencio M., Scardamaglia R.C. & Mahler B. 2019. Genetic assignment and monitoring of yellow cardinals. Journal of Wildlife Management, 83(6):1336–1344, DOI:  10.1002/jwmg.21718. 

9.  Tuero D., Jahn A., Husak M., Roeder D., Masson D., Puchetta F., Michels T., Quickle A., Vidoz Q., Domínguez M. & Reboreda J.C. 2018. Ecological determinants of Tyrannus flycatcher nestling development at north and south-temperate latitudes. The Auk 135: 439-448.  DOI: 10.1642/AUK-17-62.1 

8.     Domínguez M., Tiedemann R., Reboreda J.C., Segura L., Tittarelli F. & Mahler B. 2017. Genetic structure reveals management units for the yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata), endangered by habitat loss and illegal trapping. Conservation Genetics. 18: 1131-1140. DOI:  10.1007/s10592-017-0964-4. 

7.     Domínguez, M., J. C. Reboreda & B. Mahler. 2016. Effects of fragmentation and hybridization on geographical patterns of song variation in the endangered Yellow Cardinal Gubernatrix cristata. Ibis 158: 738-746.  doi: 10.1111/ibi.12388 .

6.     Domínguez M., Escalante I., Carrasco-Rueda F., Figuerola-Hernandez C., Ramos D., Gonzalez A., Brizuela C., Ayup M., Umaña N., Delgado W., Gómez-Ruiz D. & Pacheco-Esquivel J. 2016. Losing legs and walking hard: effects of autotomy and different substrates in the locomotion of harvestmen in the genus Prionostemma. Journal of Arachnology 44:76-82.  DOI: 10.1636/J15-08.1 

5. Domínguez M., Ayarragaray M. & Lapido R. 2015.  Nidos de Cardenal Amarillo (Gubernatrix cristata) en la provincia de San Luis, Argentina . Nuestras Aves 60: 8–10.

4.  Domínguez M., De la Colina M.A., Di Giacomo A., Reboreda J.C. & Mahler B. 2015. Host switch in obligate brood parasites: How often does it occur?. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 28 (6): 1290-7.  DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12649 .

3.     Domínguez M., Mahler B., Reboreda J.C. 2015. Impact of Shiny Cowbird and botfly parasitism on the reproductive success of the globally endangered Yellow cardinal, Gubernatrix cristata. Bird Conservation International 25 (3): 294-305.  DOI: 10.1017/S095927091400015X 

2.     Amador-Vargas S., Domínguez M., León G., Maldonado B., Murillo J. & Vides G. 2014. Leaf-folding response of a sensitive plant shows context-dependent behavioral plasticity. Plant Ecology 215 (12): 1445-1454.  DOI: 10.1007/s11258-014-0401-4. 

1.     Tadey M., Ayazo R., Carrasco-Rueda F., Christopher Y., Domínguez M., La Quay-Velázquez G. & San José M. 2013.  Depredación de Peucetia viridans (Aranae, Oxyopidae) hacia visitantes florales y herbívoros de Ruellia nudiflora (Acanthaceae) . Ecología Austral. 23:126-134. ISSN 1667-782X.

1.     Domínguez, M. Chapter: What are the strategies for genetic conservation in animal populations in the Neotropics? In: Population Genetics in the Neotropics. Under Review

2. Domínguez, M. Aprendizaje de la Matemática, Chapter 12. In: Las bases biológicas del aprendizaje. 3rd ed ISBN  978-987-4019-46-2. Buenos Aires: Editorial de la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, UBA, 2017.

• Domínguez, M. “Die DNA-Spur”. Interview published in the journal of the University of Potsdam in October 2017 about the research project carried out in conjunction with a research team in Germany ( page 31 ).

•  Domínguez, M. Boletín de los Esteros. Outreach article about the threats of yellow cardinals in Corrientes province and the importance of the conservation efforts. B oletín Nº 15, December 2012, pages 6-8 .

• Participation in interview for TV-channel:

2023 -   KoUP  . University of Potsdam, Germany. Project title: Understanding molecular and environmental sex determination in Nile Tilapias for improved aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa. Funding enabled fieldwork in Kenya.

2021 - MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship. Project HybriTE. Host: Dr. Alexander Suh, University of East Anglia. Score 89.60%.

2021 -  KoUP . University of Potsdam, Germany.

April 2020  -  Alexander von Humboldt Association 

June-July 2017 - Intensive geographic information systems (GIS)  training  in UC Davis and Redlands, USA.

June 2016 -  Neotropical Grassland Conservancy 

June-July 2013 -  Research Grant  for a two months research stay in Potsdam University

June-August 2012 -  Research Grant  for a three months research stay in Potsdam University

Since 2023 Course "The central role of evolution in biosciences". For masters and Erasmus students. University of Potsdam, Germany.

Since 2023 Practical course: "Exercises on the role of evolution in biology". For masters and Erasmus students. University of Potsdam, Germany.

Since 2023 Seminars: " How much conservation is needed in evolution? ". For masters and Erasmus students. University of Potsdam, Germany.

2023: Lecturer of the master class: Conservation Genetics for the iDiv “Current Topics in Genetics” module for the International Master’s program at University Leipzig, Germany.

Since 2022 In charge of Coloquium: "Evolutionary Biology & Genetics". University of Potsdam, Germany.

Since 2022 Instructor in charge of Master's labcourse: Molecular Population Genetics & Conservation Genetics. University of Potsdam, Germany.

2022: Lecturer in charge of the course: Limnologie Lehrveranstaltung Geländeübungen for master students at the University of Potsdam

15/10/2022 - 06/02/2023 Teacher in charge of Master's course: "State of the Art: Evolution". University of Potsdam, Germany.

09/08/2021 - 20/08/2021.  Docent. Bachelor's course: Molecular methods in evolutionary biology. University of Potsdam, Germany.

22/08/2018 Invited teacher. Master’s degree course: Conservation seminars. Master in Biodiversity Conservation. University of Buenos Aires.

19/03/2018 – 07/07/2018 Teaching Assistant. Master’s degree course: Biodiversity. Master in Biodiversity Conservation. University of Buenos Aires.

22/09/2017 – 28/02/2018 Teaching Assistant. University degree course: Ecology of Populations. Bachelor in Biological Sciences. University of Buenos Aires.

26/04/2016 – 04/09/2017 Teaching First Assistant. University degree course: Biology, behavior, development and learning. Bachelor in Educational Sciences. Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, University of Buenos Aires.

08/08/2016 – 26/11/2016 Associate Professor. Master’s degree course: Protected Areas. Master in Biodiversity Conservation. University of Buenos Aires.

01/06/2016 – 30/06/2016 Invited teacher. Master’s degree course: Biodiversity Conservation seminars. Master’s degree in Conservation Bilogy. University of Buenos Aires.

24/06/2015 Invited teacher. University degree course: General Ecology. Bachelor in Biological Sciences. University of Buenos Aires.

05/09/2013 Invited teacher. Department of Ornithology at the Faculty and Museum of Natural Sciences, National University of La Plata, Argentina.

2013 Coordinator of the workshop "Climate Change". Aimed at updating knowledge and providing new didactic tools to high school teachers. University of Buenos Aires.

2011 Coordinator of the workshop "Climate Change". Aimed at updating knowledge and providing new didactic tools to high school teachers. University of Buenos Aires.

03/08/2010 – 29/07/2011 Teaching Assistant. University degree course: General Ecology. Bachelor in Biological Sciences. University of Buenos Aires. 

• Master thesis Ecology, Evolution and Conservation. Nicole Bergjurgen. "Adaptive population genomics in Magellanic Penguin". Sole supervisor. In Progress.

• Master thesis in Biological Sciences. Jeremías Norambuena. “Evaluación del impacto de la presencia de los parásitos Molothrus bonariensis y el complejo Philornis torquans en el nicho del ave amenazada Gubernatrix cristata y sus implicaciones ante el cambio climático.” Approved in April 2024, University of Concepción, Chile . Co-supervision.

• Bachelor thesis in Biological Sciences. María Gimena Pizzarello. "Assignment of the origin of yellow cardinals (Gubernatrix cristata) seized from genetic analyzes". Approved in July 2017, University of Buenos Aires. Rol: project design, guidance in data analysis and thesis writing (only advisor).

• Bachelor thesis in Biological Sciences. Pablo Andres Fracas. "Differential response of yellow cardinals (Gubernatrix cristata) to conspecific songs from different regions". Approved in July 2019, University of Buenos Aires. Rol: project design, guidance in data analysis and thesis writing (only advisor).

Commission Member of Master's Defenses (responsibilities included reviewing theses, providing feedback, and assessing the defense presentation):

•      Tiemo von Steimker. 14.04.2022. University of Potsdam
•      Nikolai Gusev. 01.08.2023. University of Potsdam.

 Github 

 HackMD 

Please click on the image to access the results of the census and interact with the map by zooming in and swiping back and forth.

(please click on the image to watch the video)