Mónica Medina.

Mónica Medina's research uncovers key insights into coral-algal symbiosis and microbial diversity, advancing understanding of coral reef resilience and evolution.

• Why it matters: Coral reefs face increasing threats from climate change and environmental stress, yet the genetic and microbial mechanisms underlying their adaptation remain poorly understood, hindering conservation efforts.
• What they did: She employed advanced genomic and molecular techniques to study coral ancient DNA, microbial communities, and cnidarian development across multiple research institutions, including the Joint Genome Institute.
• The result: Her findings enhance knowledge of coral symbiosis and microbial interactions, providing critical information to support coral conservation and the preservation of reef ecosystems.