Ana Riesgo

Papers

Total Citations

149

H-Index

About

Dr. Ana Riesgo is a leading marine biologist whose research centers on the evolution, genomics, and conservation of marine invertebrates, particularly sponges. She is widely recognized for pioneering the use of sponges as natural environmental DNA (eDNA) samplers, a groundbreaking concept that transforms how scientists monitor marine biodiversity. Her seminal 2019 paper on this topic, which has garnered 149 citations, demonstrated that filter-feeding sponges capture and retain DNA from surrounding organisms, offering a non-invasive, cost-effective tool for assessing species richness in complex marine habitats. This work has opened new avenues for conservation genetics and ecosystem monitoring, especially in vulnerable deep-sea environments. Dr. Riesgo’s broader contributions include elucidating sponge phylogenomics and the molecular mechanisms underlying their remarkable regenerative abilities. Her innovative approaches have earned her a reputation as a trailblazer in marine molecular ecology, with her research frequently cited in studies on biodiversity assessment, climate change impacts, and evolutionary biology. For students and researchers, Dr. Riesgo exemplifies how creative, interdisciplinary thinking can address pressing environmental challenges.