Since the beginning of my undergrad I became interested
in plant genetics and its applications on plant breeding. I believe that
understanding how genetic diversity relates to adaptation is crucial to
incorporate phenotypic variation in crops and develop sustainable breeding
practices.
During my Honours (Universidad Industrial de Santander) I
explored the distribution of the genetic diversity within a population of a
prominent aromatic species, which luckily for me is found in the Chicamocha
Canyon (a breathtaking landscape!). In my M.Sc. (University of Winnipeg), I
detected the effects of fragmentation at the genetic and ecological level in
Prunus virginiana (chokecherry), and after graduation I worked with Dr. Good in
a project to detect the glacial refugia of an endangered species from the North
Atlantic Coast.
At Douglas Lab I aim to detect and characterize genes
under local selection in blackcottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), an ecologically
and economically important forest tree from North American, and the first tree
species to have its genome sequenced. For my project I am using lab techniques
for functional analysis (qRT_PCR, cloning) and bioinformatics. Want to know more?
When I am not in front of my computer or in the lab, I am teaching,
doing outreach (MEED), biking, running, hiking, or enjoying the beautiful BC (and other)
landscape.
Publications
Suarez-Gonzalez, A., Hefer, C., Christe, C., Corea,
O., Lexer, C., Cronk, Q. & Douglas, C. (2015) 'Genomic
and functional approaches reveal a case of adaptive introgression from Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar) in P. trichocarpa (black cottonwood)' Molecular
Ecology, In Press.
Suárez-Gonzalez, A., Good, S. (2013) Pollen limitation and reduced reproductive success are associated with biparental inbreeding in a self-incompatible species, Prunus virginiana. Ann Bot 113 (4) (M.Sc.).
Suárez, A., Castillo, G. & Chacón, M (2008) Genetic Diversity and Spatial Genetic Structure within a Population of an Aromatic Shrub, Lippia origanoides (Verbenaceae), in the Chicamocha Canyon, northeastern Colombia. Genetics Research 90: 455-465
Suárez, A., Martínez Nuñez, F., Castillo Villamizar G. & Chacón M. (2007) Molecular Characterization of Aromatic Species of the Genus Lippia from the Colombian Neotropics. Acta Horticulturae 756:129-137
Others
Contributions for “ThinkSwiss - The brainstorm blog” (Research at Lexer lab, Swiss and Colombian relationships)
