Location within campus:Experimental Area, First Floor. Bioinformatics Area, First Floor. Seed Bank Area, UBIPRO.
Phone:5556231129
Head of Laboratory:Dr. Sofía Solórzano Lujano
Full Professor
solorzanols@unam.mx
Researchers affiliated to the laboratory:Dr. Francisco Alberto Rivera Ortiz
Associate Professor
francisco.rivera@iztacala.unam.mx
Research lines per researcher:Dra. Sofía Solórzano Lujano: Population genetics, molecular systematics, phylogenomics, phylogeography, community ecology, species conservation.
Dr. Francisco Alberto Rivera Ortíz: Genetic and molecular ecology, conservation genetics, landscape genetics, community ecology.

The Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory has two main missions:

1) to analyze the processes and factors that contribute to understanding biodiversity levels

2) to generate research to develop proposals for species conservation and habitat conservation.

To achieve these goals, this laboratory utilizes both conventional and cutting-edge molecular methods based on DNA, as well as conducts field ecological studies. One of the strengths of this laboratory is its specialization in studying various taxonomic groups of animals and plants. Specifically, this laboratory focuses on studying species endemic to Mexico, whether or not they are endangered. The research conducted in this laboratory has allowed for the identification of threats to plant and animal species, and the impacts these threats have had on microevolutionary and genetic processes. Additionally, it has assessed the risks of losing populations or entire species.

  • Rivera-Ortíz, F. A., Aguilar, R., Arizmendi, M. D. C., Quesada, M., & Oyama, K. (2014). Habitat fragmentation and genetic variability of the tetrapod populations. Animal Conservation, 18, 249-258. doi:10.1111/acv.12165
  • Solórzano S. & P Dávila. 2015. Identification of conservation units of Mammillaria crucigera (Cactaceae): perspectives for the conservation of rare species. Plant Ecology and Diversity. 8:559-569. DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2015.1044581.
  • Solórzano S., S. Arias, P Dávila. 2016. Genetics and conservation of plant species of extremely narrow geographic range. Diversity MPDI 8:1-122.
  • Rivera-Ortíz, F. A., Solórzano, S., Arizmendi, M. D., Davila-Aranda, P., & Oyama, K. (2017). Genetic diversity and structure of the Military Macaw (Ara militaris) in México: Implications for Conservation. Tropical Conservation Science, 10, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940082916684346.
  • Solórzano S., D. A. Chincoya, A. Sanchez-Flores, K. Estrada, C. E. Díaz-Velásquez, A. González-Rodríguez, F. Vaca-Paniagua, P. Dávila, S. Arias 7. 2019. De Novo Assembly Discovered Novel Structures in Genome of Plastids and Revealed Divergent Inverted Repeats in Mammillaria (Cactaceae, Caryophyllales). Plants 8: 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8100392

Prospective Thesis Candidate Profile:Solid knowledge in ecology, evolution, and statistics. An 80% proficiency level in technical English within the field of biology. Strong commitment to tasks and responsibilities. Proactive and initiative-driven in solving problems and overcoming obstacles inherent to their research.
Service Social Data:Dr. Francisco Alberto Rivera Ortíz: Genetic and Molecular Ecology of Mexican Fauna, registration key 2020-12/63-22. The primary activities include field support for ecological data collection and specimen collection, as well as database generation.
Dr. Sofía Solórzano Lujano receives social services in molecular biology and bioinformatics (registration in process).