Dr. María | University of Granada | Spain
María Vila Duplá is a multidisciplinary marine and aquatic scientist with expertise spanning microbial ecology, environmental monitoring, and ecosystem dynamics. Her academic foundation combines biology, marine science, and science communication, complemented by advanced training in imaging tools, bioinformatics, meta-omics, and plastic pollution assessment. This diverse educational background supports her integrated approach to studying aquatic ecosystems under global change. She has contributed to a range of research projects investigating phytoplankton dynamics, microbial consortia, ecosystem resilience, and the impacts of climate change and plastic pollution on freshwater and marine systems. Her work leverages experimental, observational, and computational methods, including field campaigns, mesocosm experiments, contaminant exposure assays, multivariate statistics, and predictive modeling. She is proficient in a wide array of laboratory techniques, from bacterial and algal culturing to flow cytometry, polymer analysis, and molecular biology workflows. In addition to research, María has extensive teaching experience at the undergraduate level in ecology, systems ecology, and environmental science, mentoring students through theses, capstone projects, and hands-on field and laboratory training. She also serves as a peer reviewer for high-impact journals and contributes as a journal specialist, highlighting her commitment to scientific rigor and dissemination. Her scientific contributions include high-quality publications in top-tier journals on topics such as microbial responses to environmental stressors, algal microbiome dynamics, and ecotoxicological effects of contaminants. She has actively presented her research at international conferences, showcasing her ability to communicate complex ecological processes to diverse audiences. María combines field expertise, laboratory proficiency, and computational skills with a strong commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and science communication. Fluent in Spanish, English, and French, she integrates interdisciplinary knowledge to address pressing environmental challenges and advance understanding of aquatic ecosystem resilience, making her a dynamic researcher, educator, and advocate for sustainable aquatic management.
Featured Publications
Vila Duplá, M., González-Olalla, J. M., Villar-Argaiz, M., Medina-Sánchez, J. M., & Carrillo, P. (2025). Fluctuating high temperature hinders long-term phytoplankton acclimation to Saharan dust. Journal of Environmental Sciences. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2025.11.051
Cabrerizo, M. J., González-Olalla, J. M., Medina-Sánchez, J. M., Vila Duplá, M., & Carrillo, P. (2025). Warming fluctuations strengthen the photo-phagotrophic coupling in mixoplanktonic protists. Microbial Ecology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-025-02658-2
Vila Duplá, M. (2021). Dynamics of a macrophyte-driven coastal ecotone: Underlying factors and ecological implications. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 259, 107481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107481