Haverford College

Distinguished Visitors Talk by Ek del Val de Gortari, Researcher Professor, Research Institute of Ecosystems and Sustainability, National Autonomous University of Mexico

Talk on Thursday, April 4 at 4:15pm in KINSC H109

“Bark Beetle Communities in Temperate Forests Under Climate Change”

Abstract: Bark beetle infestations have historically been primary drivers of stand thinning in Mexican pine forests. However, bark beetle impacts have become increasingly extensive and intense, apparently associated with climate change. I will show results about the current distribution of bark-beetle species in Mexico and their relationship with environmental variables. As temperatures and drought stress increase further with projected future climatic changes, it is likely that primary bark-beetles will increase tree damage at higher elevations. Pine forests in Mexico are an important source of livelihood for communities inhabiting those areas, so providing tools to tackle obstacles to forest growth and health posed by changing climate is imperative.

About the speaker: Ek del Val de Gortari was born in Monterrey, Mexico in 1973. She studied Biology at UNAM (1999), a Phd in Ecology at Imperial College, UK (2003) and a postdoc at the Ecology Department of Universidad Católica de Chile.  In 2005 she started her appointment at UNAM as Associate Researcher at the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad (IIES-UNAM). From 2013 she is Full Researcher. She holds the SNI 3 distinction from the National Research System- Conahcyt. She has published 93 papers peer-reviewed indexed journals, one book about ecology and evolution in Spanish (2012), 9 chapters in specialized books and more than 200 papers for general public (printed and electronic media). She has directed 18 undergraduate students, 15 MSc and three doctoral students. In 2013 she was awarded the Reconocimiento Distinción Universidad Nacional para Jóvenes Académicos for Teaching in Natural Science from UNAM, in 2014 the Reconocimiento Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz for outstanding female academics and the Dr. Santiago Cendejas Huerta Award for outstanding Research and Science Outreach from the Academia Michoacana de Ciencias A.C.  In 2019 she participated in a TEDx talk talking about the importance of insects for humans. Her research interests deal with the understanding of how anthropogenic activities affect biotic interactions, in particular invasive species and insect forest and crop pests. She is involved in ecological restoration activities and agroecological ventures that take into consideration plant animal interactions. She is also passionate about insect science outreach. 

Sponsored by the Depts of Political Science, Biology, and the Distinguished Visitors Program