Member Profile
Membership type: full
Jessica Duchicela
Country of origin: Ecuador Currently in: Ecuador, Quito General field of specialization: Agricultural Sciences-
Degrees
2013 Doctorate Biological Systems and Organisms -
Current Research Activities
Biological Systems and Organisms
My research revolves around the ecology of plant and soil microbial interactions and their effects on ecosystem services. I am particularly intrigued by the biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities, their effect on soil aggregation and how this knowledge can be applied to the field of restoration and conservation ecology. Rhizosphere microbiome assembly from invasive, domesticated and wild congener plants. Science diplomacy, science policy analyst and STEM advocator.
Publications resulting from Research:
Duchicela, J., Bever, J. D., & Schultz, P. A. (2020). Symbionts as Filters of Plant Colonization of Islands: Tests of Expected Patterns
and Environmental Consequences in the Galapagos. Plants, 9(1), 74.10.3390/plants9010074
Mujica, M. I., Bueno, C. G., Duchicela, J., & Marín, C. (2019). Strengthening mycorrhizal research in South America. New
Phytologist, 224(2), 563-567. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16105
Delavaux, C. S., Weigelt, P., Dawson, W., Duchicela, J., Essl, F., van Kleunen, M., ... & Winter, M. (2019). Mycorrhizal fungi influence
global plant biogeography. Nature ecology & evolution, 3(3), 424-429. 10.1038/s41559-019-0823-4
Izurieta, A., Delgado, B., Moity, N., Calvopiña, M., Cedeño, I., Banda-Cruz, G., .Duchicela J.& Bazurto, D. (2018). A collaboratively
derived environmental research agenda for Galápagos. Pacific Conservation Biology, 24(2), 207-207. 10.1071/PC17053
Chaudhary, V. B., Rúa, M. A., Antoninka, A., Bever, J. D., Cannon, J., Craig, A., ... Hoeksema, J. D. (2016). MycoDB, a global database
of plant response to mycorrhizal fungi. Scientific Data, 3, 160028. doi: 10.1038/sdata.2016.28
Duchicela J., Sullivan T.S., Bontti E., Bever J. 2013. Soil aggregate stability increase is strongly related to fungal community
succession along an abandoned agricultural field chronosequence in the Bolivian Altiplano. Journal of Applied Ecology.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12130.
Duchicela J. Bever J. Vogelsang K., Kaonongbua W., Middleton E., Middleton P., 2012. Non- native plants and soil microbes:
potential contributors to the consistent reduction in soil aggregate stability caused by the disturbance of North American grasslands.
New Phytologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04233.x
Current profession
Current professional activities type:ResearchTeachingHigher Education StudyProfessor and Researcher Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE Science, Techonology and Society Student at Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO)
Workshop and Conference Attended
2017 Washington, DC, USA Science Diplomacy & Leadership Workshop 20172016, 2017 Banff, Canada Seminar on Transdisciplinary approaches to integrating policy and science for sustainability2020 Online i-COMET International collaboration on mycorrhizal ecological traits.Presentation given
2015Preliminary observations of diversification of mycorrhizal plant response - island vs continent populations.NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITYEvent: ICOM8 -
Other Awards
Jan 2016Matilde HidalgoThe Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation did the first edition of the "Matilde Hidalgo" Awards for the most innovative projects that highlight excellence in higher education, science, technology and innovation in Ecuador. This recognition is aimed at academics who have stood out for their work in favor of the scientific and technological development of the country. I was awared Matilde Hidalgo scientist of the year, young scientist category in the first edition of the award. The designation was inspired by a woman who was the first pediatric doctor and poet. Matilde Hidalgo also stood out for her feminist and liberal ideals. Matilde was also the first woman to vote in a democratic election in South America and to hold a popularly elected office. Hidalgo opened paths for Ecuadorian women with eagerness and courage, setting a precedent in national politics.
