Our institute, IADIZA, is searching for a new director. The search is open until March 18, 2015. Here’s the information, in case you are interested or know someone who might be: http://web.conicet.gov.ar/web/conicet.convocatorias.ue/director-ue.
Search for new IADIZA director now open
Jimena Dorado and Natalia Schroeder become CONICET assistant researchers
Former lab’s doctoral student Jimena Dorado (left) and current lab’s post-doc Natalia Schroeder (right) will soon become CONICET assistant researchers. As such, they will continue being involved in our group’s activities. Congratulations Jime and Nati!
Meet our youngest lab member!
We welcome Enzo, our youngest lab member, born on December 26! Congratulations mom Vero (and dad Mariano)!
A conceptual framework for studying the strength of plant-animal mutualistic interactions
A paper presenting a conceptual framework for the study of the strength of plant-animal mutualistic interactions has been accepted for publication as a Reviews & Synthesis article in Ecology Letters. This is the result of a collaboration between Diego and his Chilean colleagues Rodrigo Ramos-Jiliberto, Pasquinell Urbani and Fernanda Valdovinos. See the article at the Ecology Letters web site.
Nati gave talk at International Junior Science Olympiad
Nati, with Daniela Rodriguez (IADIZA) and Valeria Aschero (IANIGLA, and former lab member), gave a talk on the scientific inquiry process to participants of the 11th International Junior Science Olympiad, which was held recently in Mendoza. They guided an international audience of students and teachers through the basics of a hands-on exploration of the scientific method. The conference was an invitation to enhance curiosity and to exercise critical thinking.
Guadalupe Peralta will join the lab as a post-doc
Guadalupe Peralta was awarded a CONICET post-doc fellowship to work on responses of plant-pollinator networks to changes in the abundance of pollinators. She will be supervised by Diego and by Eduardo Bringa (CONICET-UN Cuyo). Lupe comes from a successful Ph.D. in Jason Tylianakis Lab in New Zealand. Welcome Lupe!
Micaela Santos will join the lab in 2015 as a doctoral student
Micaela Santos has been awarded a CONICET doctoral fellowship to work on habitat and interaction networks in fragmented landscapes. She will be supervised by Diego and by Luciano Cagnolo (CONICET-UN Córdoba). Welcome Mica!
A novel approach to assess biodiversity response to grazing in drylands
Vero published a paper proposing a novel methodological approach to compare community response to grazing gradients (double reciprocal analysis) in drylands. This analysis allowed for comparison of multi-taxa response under different seasons and management strategies and can be used as a powerful tool for conservation and management. This is one of the chapters of Vero’s doctoral dissertation, which she did in Ricardo Ojeda’s lab. Check it out!
Ecosystem responses to livestock grazing in drylands
Vero published a paper in Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment on the ecosystem responses to livestock grazing in drylands, showing that overall community resilience decreases under increasing grazing pressure, regardless of management strategies. The study also showed that a short-period rotational management can help reduce ecosyste degradation. This is one of Vero’s doctoral dissertation chapters, which she did in Ricardo Ojeda’s lab. Great work, Vero!
Paper on microstructure of plant-pollinator networks
Diego has published a paper on the determinants of the microstructure of plant-pollinator networks, in collaboration with Chris Kaiser-Bunbury, Martina Stang and Jaboury Gazhoul. It uses data from the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean and applies structural equation modeling to tease apart potential causes of network structure. Check it out!
 | Diego Vázquez on End-of-year group gathering |
 | EDGAR CHAVEZ GONZALE… on End-of-year group gathering |
| EDGAR on Annual group retreat in El Leo… |
| Edgar Chávez-Gonzále… on Edgar Chávez González is visit… |
| Diego Vázquez on Exotic plants and pollination… |
Ecological Interactions Lab 