About the talk

Halimium halimifolium is one of the main components of the shrubland in Doñana National Park. However, few studies have focused on its long-distance dispersal mechanism. Therefore, in my thesis, we aim to study the interaction between this plant and overabundant ungulates in Doñana (specifically, the red deer) and determine whether a mutualistic or antagonistic relationship exists between these two species. To achieve this, we have set the following objectives: 1) To distinguish the role of red deer as a predator or disperser of H. halimifolium based on its phenology, 2) to understand the seed retention times in ungulates, 3) to conduct germination experiments both in the laboratory and in the field, and 4) to integrate the results using simulation models. 

About Rocío Fernández Fuerte

Rocío Fernández studied Biology at the University of Córdoba (UCO), where she colaborated as an intern at the university's Herbarium (COFC) and at the Botanical Garden of Córdoba. For her undergraduate thesis, she focused on the functional traits of trees in the Plant Ecology Department. Later, she pursued a Master's in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at Pablo de Olavide University (UPO), where she completed my master's thesis under the supervision of José M. Fedriani and Pedro J. Garrote. Her research focused on the role of ungulates in the dispersal of Halimium halimifolium in Doñana National Park. Then she remained there to begin her current PhD thesis in February 2024. 

About the talk

Host-parasite coevolutionary interactions shape the forces that guide their reciprocal evolutionary trajectories through simultaneous, intricate feedback loops that may change rapidly over time. The study of this topic has often relied on mathematical models and simplified experimental scenarios, making the analysis more manageable but also surrounded by assumptions. In my thesis, I use a computational approach to build a digital twin of the coevolutionary process between hosts and their parasites. My goal is to go beyond the capabilities of a traditional microbiology laboratory and gain insights into four key questions in host-parasite coevolutionary dynamics: 1) Does virulence in hosts decrease over time? 2) Do parasites enhance hosts' epistatic interactions? 3) Do parasites increase the amount of information stored within hosts' genomes over time? 4) Is coevolution more repeatable than evolution? 

About Francisco Javier Borrallo Vázquez 

Francisco Javier Borrallo graduated with a degree in Biology in 2021 from the Universidad de Sevilla. Following his interest in the frontiers of the subject and the potential of Omics, he pursued a Master’s Degree in Omics Data Analysis and Systems Biology in 2023. During the Master's program, he joined Miguel Fortuna's computational biology lab at the EBD to study the evolution of virulence using a computational approach (which aligned with his "question-driven" use of bioinformatics). It was here that he began his training in AVIDA, an Artificial Life software platform for studying evolution. This experience marked the beginning of his future research. He continued working in his lab, extending his knowledge on the theoretical coevolution of host-parasite, their interactions and its many complex implications. In April 2024, he officially began my PhD under Miguel's supervision, focusing on host-parasite coevolutionary dynamics using computational approaches.