Dumitru Ionut Paun Tanase

I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Seville in 2023. Subsequently, I completed a Master's degree in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the Pablo de Olavide University, as well as a Master's degree in Profesorado de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y Bachillerato, Formación Profesional y Enseñanza de Idiomas.

Currently, I am pursuing my PhD under the supervision of Jordi Figuerola and Sergio Magallanes. My project focuses on the ecology of hematophagous insect groups, specifically biting midges of the genus Leptoconops and phlebotomine sandflies. Regarding the former, they are an understudied group in Europe; therefore, a comprehensive study of their biology will be carried out, covering aspects from taxonomy to their potential role as disease vectors, feeding preferences, and an understanding of their distribution through ecological modeling. Conversely, phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of Leishmania, so their surveillance and knowledge of their ecology will allow for a better understanding of them.

The study of both groups will be conducted in Andalusia, utilizing specimens captured during the 2023-2024 ABROPREVENT sampling and the 2025-2026 Junta de Andalucía surveys. This contract is funded by the Junta de Andalucía/CUIl and the European Social Fund Plus (DGP_PRED_2024_01176).

Thesis: Ecology of Leptoconops midges and sandflies in Andalusia 

Supervisors: Jordi Figuerola y Sergio Magallanes