Professor Ana Mª Crespo de Las Casas
Professor of Botany
Head, Department of Biología Vegetal II, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Full member of the Royal Spanish Academy of Sciences (2012), Acharius Medal (International Association for Lichenology, 2012).
Current research: Ana leads the research group SYSTEMOL (molecular systematics of plants and fungi), which includes eight PhD level researchers, working in systematic, phylogeny and evolutionary biology of lichen-forming fungi and also plants. The group utilizes morphological and molecular phylogenetic methods in the investigation of evolutionary relationships (including character evolution, evolutionary rates, and ecology) and population studies and speciation. The group has revised the generic circumscription in the family Parmeliaceae (the largest one in lichen forming fungi), and has produced a new systematic arrangement that is now generally accepted. As a result of phylogenetic and population studies the group has also shown the frequent presence of cryptic species in lichenized fungi from studies of genetic variability and geographical distributions.
Scientific profile: Mycologist working on evolutionary, systematic and ecological (bioindication) topics of lichens (lichenized Ascomycota). She has worked on the relationship between phenotypic and genomic characters revealing high morphological homoplasy in fungi and revealing the common existence of large number of cryptic species in lichens. She has also contributed to the wider systematics of fungi by contributions to shaping modern concept of the genus. In addition, she works on molecular identification of species and assists in the design of DNA barcoding schemes. She is also active in science policy issues, on which she writes for the national press.
Experience: Ana has participated in or led numerous research projects research funded by Spanish and foreign public authorities (NSF and EOL, both USA, and EU), CAICYT, CICYT, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Cabildo de Tenerife, National Consumer Centre of Spain, City of Madrid, etc..) or private (NEXUS, ENDESA, CESPA, Spaces of Natura Balear). She has supervised 10 doctoral PhD theses and supervised numerous research projects (dissertations, etc.). She has published over 120 scientific articles, most of them in internationally respected journals, and has collaborated in the production of several books.
Fieldwork: In addition to numerous field excursions in mainland Spain and the Canary Isalnd, during the last 15 years she has also worked in: China (Yunnan, 2002), South Africa (2005), Morocco (2004–06), Kenya (2007), Peru (Andean region, 2007), USA (California, 2008), Japan (Tsukuba Mts, Hakone, 2009), and Australia (New South Wales, 2011).
Awards and Honours: Full member of the Royal Spanish Academy of Sciences (2012, (Medal 43); Acharius Medal (highest award for individual scientific merit of the International Association for Lichenology, 2012), Medal of the International University Menéndez Pelayo (1993), Research Associate of the Field Museum of Chicago (2005 on), Council of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (2011 on).
Distinguished by her peers with the dedication of several new eponymous taxa (7 species, one subgenus and 2 genera).
Previous responsibilities: Director General, Office of the Secretary of State for Universities and Research (Government of Spain, 1987–1991); Director General of Universities (Government of Spain, 1991–1993), General Coordinator of the National Commission [Spanish] Evaluation of Research Activity (CNEAI, 2005–2008).
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