Susanna López-Legentil

Current research interests are in the biology and taxonomy of marine invertebrates, especially tunicates and sponges. Two main areas of investigation are 1. Molecular biology: including phylogenetics, population genetics, gene expression, and genomics, and 2. Ecology: including chemical and invasive perspectives.

EDUCATION

2007-2009 M. in Business and Administration. University of North Carolina Wilmington (United States)

2002-2005 European Ph. D. in Biological Sciences. University of Barcelona (Spain) and Perpignan (France)

2002-2003 M. S. Molecular Biology of Marine Invertebrates. University of Barcelona (Spain)

2000-2001 M. S. Biogeochemistry and Marine Environment. University of Paris VI (France)

1996-2000 B. S. Biological Sciences (Organisms and Ecosystems). University of Barcelona (Spain)

LANGUAGE SKILLS

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE & APPOINTMENTS

2007-2009 Visiting Research Associate Professor (biotechnology & genomics), UNC Wilmington.

2006-2007 Visiting Adjunct Assistant Professor (gene expression & conservation), UNC Wilmington.

2005-2006 Post-doctoral Researcher (evolution & conservation), Centre de Biologie et d’Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne. EPHE - FMR CNRS 2935 (France).

2001-2005 Pre-doctoral Researcher (chemical ecology & marine natural products) at the Laboratoire de Chimie des Biomolécules et de l’Environnement, University of Perpignan and the Department of Animal Biology (Zoology, ecology & genetics), University of Barcelona.

2003-2004 Research Assistant (chemical ecology), Marine Laboratory, University of Guam (United States).

2001 Research Assistant (biogeochemistry), Laboratoire d’Océanographie Biologique de Banyuls-sur-Mer, University of Paris VI (France).

1998-2000 Research Assistant (ecology & genetics), Department of Animal Biology, University of Barcelona.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Isabel Calderon, Ph.D candidate, University of Barcelona. Advisor: Dr. Xavier Turon.

2004. Markus Ruchty, University of Barcelona. Co-supervised with Dr. Xavier Turon.

2004. Arnau Domenech, University of Barcelona. Co-supervised with Dr. Xavier Turon.

2003-2005 Instructor at the University of Perpignan (animal anatomy and physiology).

2002-2004 Teaching Assistant at the Department of Animal Biology, University of Barcelona (biology and taxonomy of marine invertebrates).

GRADUATE STUDENT COMMITTEES

PhD STUDENTS

PhD FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

2009-2014 ‘Ramon y Cajal’ Contract (equivalent to tenure track faculty position) at the Department of Animal Biology (Invertebrates) of the University of Barcelona. Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, and the University of Barcelona.

2009 MBA Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, UNCW Cameron School of Business.

2007-2009 Business of Marine Biotechnology Fellowship. Competitive fellowship offered by UNC Wilmington - Center for Marine Science.

2006-2007 Fulbright Fellowship. Competitive fellowship offered by US Department of State and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

2002-2005 Pre-doctoral Fellowship. Competitive fellowship funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

2004 Visiting Research Assistantship Award, University of Guam. Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

2003 Visiting Research Assistantship Award, University of Guam. Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science and the French doctoral institution ED305.

2002 Visiting Research Assistantship Award, University of Perpignan. Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

2000-2001 Undergraduate Scholarship. Competitive training grant offered by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

2000-2001 Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. Competitive scholarship funded by the European Union

GRANTS

2008-2010 Spanish Government CTM2007-66635 grant: Molecular tools for the study of the vulnerability of benthic littoral populations: structure, connectivity, adaptation and gene expression. PI: Dr. Xavier Turon. I am a research faculty member on this grant.

2007-2009 French Research National Agency (ANR), ECIMAR ANR-06-BDIV-001-04 grant: Marine Chemical Ecology: Biodiversity indicators and development. PI: Dr. Mikel Becerro. I am a research faculty member on this grant.

2006-2008 Catalan Government 2005SGR00674 Benthic Biology & Ecology Group funding. Grant of for Quality Research Groups. I was a research faculty member on this grant. PI. Xavier Turon.

2005-2007 Spanish Government CTM2004-05265-C02-01/MAR grant: Genetic exchange between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean invertebrates and fishes: colonization, speciation and invasion. PI: Dr. Xavier Turon. I was a full-time researcher for this grant. .

2002-2005 The European Union INTERREG III n. I3A-1-72-E grant: Marine ecosystem management: study of the sub-lethal effects of contaminants on invertebrates. PI: Dr. Bernard Banaigs. University of Barcelona PI. Dr. Xavier Turon. I was a full-time researcher for this grant.

2002-2004 Spanish Government REN2001-2312-C03-02/MAR grant: Genetic structure and gene flow of benthic organisms: biotechnological applications and marine environment management. PI: Dr. Xavier Turon. I was a full-time researcher for this grant.

2002-2003 FBG nº301844 / PharmaMar grant: Genetic characterization of bioactive species of ascidians. PI: Dr. Xavier Turon. I was one of the 3 researchers included on this grant.

2001-2002 FBG nº301298 / PharmaMar grant: Genetic study on marine organisms with anti-tumoral potential. PI: Dr. Xavier Turon. I worked as a research technician for this grant. .

PUBLICATIONS

Submitted Bontemps N, Jamme F, López-Legentil S, Simon-Levert A, Long C, Banaigs B. Structure and antimicrobial activity of three new pyridoacridine alkaloids isolated from different color morphs of the ascidian Cystodytes dellechiajei.

In revision López-Legentil S, Erwin PM, Henkel TP, Loh T-L, Pawlik JR. Phenotypic plasticity in the sponge Callyspongia vaginalis: morphological and molecular data.

In press López-Legentil S, Song B, DeTure M, Baden DG. Characterization and localization of a hybrid non ribosomal peptide synthetase and polyketide synthase gene from the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. Marine Biotechnology DOI: 10.1007/s10126-009-9197-y

2009 López-Legentil S, Pawlik JR. Genetic structure of the Caribbean giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta using the I3-M11 partition of COI. Coral Reefs 28:157-165.

2008 Pawlik JR, Henkel TP, McMurray SE, López-Legentil S, Loh T-L, Rohde S. Patterns of sponge recruitment and growth on a shipwreck corraborate chemical defense resource trade-off. Marine Ecology Progress Series 368: 137-143.

2008 López-Legentil S, Song B, McMurray SE, Pawlik JR. Bleaching and stress in coral reef ecosystems: Hsp70 expression by the giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta. Molecular Ecology 17(7): 1840-1850.

2007 López-Legentil S, Turon X. Lack of genetic variation in mtDNA over the amphiatlantic distribution range of the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 45: 405-408.

2007 López-Legentil S, Bontemps-Subielos N, Turon X, Banaigs B. Secondary metabolite and inorganic contents in Cystodytes sp. (Ascidiacea): temporal patterns and association with reproduction and growth. Marine Biology 151:293-299.

2006 López-Legentil S, Turon X, Planes S. Genetic structure of the sea star squirt, Botryllus schlosseri, introduced in southern European harbors. Molecular Ecology 15:3957-3967.

2006 López-Legentil S, Turon X. Population genetics, phylogeography and speciation of Cystodytes (Ascidiacea) in the western Mediterranean. Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society 88: 203-214.

2006 López-Legentil S, Bontemps-Subielos N, Turon X, Banaigs B. Temporal variation in the production of four secondary metabolites in a colonial ascidian. Journal of Chemical Ecology 32:2079-2084.

2006 López-Legentil S, Turon X, Schupp P. Chemical and physical defenses against predators in Cystodytes (Ascidiacea). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 332(1): 27-36.

2005 López-Legentil S, Ruchy M, Doménech A, Turon X. Life cycles and growth rates of two morphotypes of Cystodytes (Ascidiacea) in the western Mediterranean. Marine Ecology Progress Series 296:219-228.

2005 López-Legentil S, Dieckmann R, Bontemps-Subielos N, Turon X, Banaigs B. Chemical variation of alkaloids in color morphs of Cystodytes (Ascidiacea). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 33(11):1107-1119.

2005 Turon X, López-Legentil S, Banaigs B. Cell types, microsymbionts and pyridoacridine distribution in the tunic of Cystodytes. Invertebrate Biology 124(4): 355-369.

2005 Charles F, López-Legentil S, Grémare A, Amouroux JM, Desmalades M, Vétion G. Does sediment resuspension by storms affect the fate of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in benthic food chain? Interactions between changes in POM characteristics, adsorption and absorption by the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Continental Shelf Research 25: 2533-2553.

2005 López-Legentil S, Turon X. How do morphoytpes and chemotypes relate to genotypes? The colonial ascidian Cystodytes (Ascidiacea: Polycitoridae). Zoologica Scripta 34(1): 3-14.

2004 Agell G, Turon X, De Caralt S, López-Legentil S, Uriz MJ. Molecular and organism biomarkers of copper pollution in the ascidian Pseudodistoma crucigaster. Marine Pollution Bulletin 48(7-8): 759-767.

2004 Turon X, López-Legentil S. Ascidian molecular phylogeny inferred from mtDNA data with emphasis on the Aplousobranchiata. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 33: 309-320.

2002 De Caralt S, López-Legentil S, Tarjuelo I, Uriz MJ, Turon X. Contrasting biological traits of Clavelina lepadiformis (Ascidiacea) populations from inside and outside harbors in western Mediterranean. Marine Ecology Progress Series 244: 125-137.

2002 Tarjuelo I, López-Legentil S, Codina M, Turon X. Defence mechanisms of adults and larvae of marine invertebrates: patterns of toxicity and palatability in colonial ascidians. Marine Ecology Progress Series 235: 103-115.

CONFERENCE, SYMPOSIUMS AND WORKSHOPS

2009 López-Legentil S, Erwin PM. From marine biotechnology to valuation studies: The value of the sea for anti-cancer drug discovery. Marine Biotechnology Workshop, UNC Wilmington NC (USA).

2008 López-Legentil S, Song B, DeTure M, Baden D. Isolation and localization of a non ribosomal peptide synthetase / polyketide synthase complex from the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. Microbial Genomics & Metagenomics Workshop, Walnut Creek (CA, US).

2008 López-Legentil S, Pawlik JR. Genetic structure of the giant barrel sponge Xestospongia muta in Northern Caribbean. 11^th Coral Reef Symposium, Fort Lauderdale (FL, US).

2007 Pawlik JR, Henkel TP, Loh T-L, López-Legentil S, McMurray SE, Rohde S. Testing an hypothesis on sponge chemical defenses using the wreck of the USS Spiegel Grove. 5h European Conference on Marine Natural Products, Ischia (Italy).

2007 Bontemps-Subielos N, Simon-Levert A, López-Legentil S, Banaigs B. Pyridoacridine alkaloids within purple morphs of Cystodytes spp. (Ascidiacea: Polycitoridae). 5h European Conference on Marine Natural Products, Ischia (Italy).

2007 Song B, López-Legentil S, Pawlik JR. Genetic investigation of archaeal nitrification in the Caribbean barrel sponge Xestospongia muta. American Society for Microbiology Conferences, Quebec (Canada).

2007 López-Legentil S, Song B, McMurray S, Pawlik JR. Using molecular tools to examine bleaching and stress in the Caribbean barrel sponge Xestospongia muta. Benthic Ecology Meetings, Georgia (US).

2007 López-Legentil S, Henkel TP, Pawlik JR. Troubling taxonomy: the genus Callyspongia in the Caribbean. Benthic Ecology Meetings, Georgia (US)

2007 Pawlik JR, Henkel TP, Loh T-L, López-Legentil S, McMurray SE, Rohde S. Insight into sponge ecology from the wreck of the USS Spiegel Grove. Benthic Ecology Meetings, Georgia (US).

2006 López-Legentil S, Song B, McMurray S, Pawlik JR. Applications of QRT-PCR: quantification of stress levels associated with bleaching in the giant barrel sponge. XIV Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology, Barcelona (Spain).

2006 Schupp P, López-Legentil S, Turon X. Chemical and physical defenses against predators in Cystodytes (Ascidiacea). Gordon Research Conferences - Marine Natural Products, Ventura CA (US).

2005 López-Legentil S, Turon X, Bontemps-Subielos N, Banaigs B. Adjusting the budget: is temporal variation on defense production related to other biological parameters? 4th European Conference on Marine Natural Products, Paris (France).

2004 López-Legentil S, Turon X, Schupp P, Bontemps-Subielos N, Banaigs B. Seasonal variation and anti-predatory properties of ascididemin, the major alkaloid of the ascidian Cystodytes dellechiajei. XI International Symposium of Marine Natural Products, Sorrento (Italy).

2004 Dieckmann R, López-Legentil S, Turon X, von Döhren H. Direct rapid chemotyping of minute samples from tunicates, marine sponges and associated bacteria with MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry. XI International Symposium of Marine Natural Products, Sorrento (Italy).

2004 Bontemps-Subielos N, López-Legentil S, Jamme F, Long C, Banaigs B. Intraspecific variability in the pyridoacridine composition of the ascidian Cystodytes dellechiajei. XI International Symposium of Marine Natural Products, Sorrento (Italy).

2004 López-Legentil S, Dieckmann R, Turon X. The usefulness of genetics and secondary chemistry in assessing intraspecies variability: the colonial ascidian Cystodytes dellechiajei. XIII Iberian Symposium on Marine Benthos, Canary Islands (Spain).

2003 Simon-Levert A, Hellio C, Marechal JP, López-Legentil S, Bontemps-Subielos N, Clare A, Banaigs B. Antifouling activity of two ascidians (Aplidium aff. densum & Cystodytes dellechiajei) extracts and metabolites on the tropical barnacle Balanus amphitrite. Symposium of Marine Biology and Ecology, Athens (Greece).

2002 López-Legentil S, Grémare A, Vétion G, Roussiez V. Biochemical characteristics of particulate organic matter. Temporal changes and comparison between sediment traps and surface sediments. XII Iberian Symposium on Marine Benthos, Gibraltar-La Línia (Spain).

2002 Roussiez V, Grémare A, Vétion G, López-Legentil S. Consequences of two types of brief events on the biochemical characteristics of sedimenting and sedimented organic matter. XII Iberian Symposium on Marine Benthos, Gibraltar-La Línia (Spain).

2002 López-Legentil S, Turon X, Tarjuelo I. Variability of the gene Cytocrome Oxidase I in ascidians: from the population genetics to the phylogeny. XII Iberian Symposium on Marine Benthos, Gibraltar-La Línia (Spain).

2002 Tarjuelo I, López-Legentil S, Codina M, Turon X. Relationships of defence mechanisms of larvae and adults of colonial ascidians: patterns of palatability and toxicity. V International Larval Biology Meetings, Vigo (Spain).

2001 Grémare A, Amouroux JM, Charles F, Gili JM, Naudin JJ, Sardá R, Jordana E, López-Legentil S, Medernach L, Rossi S, Roussiez V. Short and long-term effect of resuspension events on benthic communities in the Gulf of Lions. 36th European Marine Biology Symposium, Maó (Spain).

2001 De Caralt S, López-Legentil S, Tarjuelo I, Turon X. Comparative biology of Clavelina lepadiformis (Ascidiacea) populations from inside and outside harbors in western Mediterranean. 36th European Marine Biology Symposium, Maó (Spain).

GUEST LECTURES

2009 López-Legentil S. Marine science and business. Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics. UNC Wilmington.

2007 López-Legentil S. Interdisciplinary approaches to marine chemical ecology: Polymorphism, secondary metabolite production and life cycle of the sea squirt Cystodytes. UNC Wilmington.

2005 López-Legentil S. Assessing relationships between morphotype-chemotype-genotype to determine polymorphism. Laboratoire d’écologie méditerranéenne et tropicale, University of Perpignan.

2004 López-Legentil S. Patterns of palatability and toxicity of larvae and adults of colonial ascidians. University of Guam.

2003 López-Legentil S. The importance of multidisciplinary approaches in assessing intraspecies variability: the colonial ascidian Cystodytes. University of Guam.

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Catalan	Native	Native	Native
French	Native	Native	Native
English	Correctly	Fluently	Correctly

RESEARCH INTERESTS

EDUCATION

LANGUAGE SKILLS

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