Violeta Simón-Porcar

I am interested in the evolution of plant reproductive systems from asexual reproduction to sophisticated floral polymorphisms, including the role of pollinators. To unravel the evolutionary drivers and consequences of reproductive systems, I explore their patterns of variation at intra and interspecific (closest relatives) levels. In this line, my study systems are or have been the genera Narcissus, Mimulus and Linum. In parallel, I am starting a second research line studying the environmental and historical drivers of plant diversification and community assembly in Mediterranean mountain ecosystems. In the midterm, my aim is to help in the understanding of how reproductive traits and pollinators promote biodiversity in Mediterranean ecosystems. I use multidisciplinary approaches that include experiments, field data and lab work. I have led more than ten research expeditions led in Spain, Morocco, United Kingdom and South Africa.
I finished my Bsc in Biological sciences at the University of Alcalá in 2007 and obtained my Msc in Enviromental Sciences at the University of Zaragoza in 2009. In 2008, I got two different FPI pre-doctoral scholarships and incorporated to the EVOCA research group at University of Sevilla to develop my PhD thesis under the supervision of Prof. Juan Arroyo. During my Bsc and predoctoral period, I was granted for four research secondments at the University of León (2006, two months, León, Nicaragua), the Australian National University (2010, two months, Canberra, Australia), Aula Dei Research Station (2011, four months, Zaragoza, Spain) and the University of St Andrews (2012, three months, St Andrews, United Kingdom). I got my PhD in Evolutionary Ecology in 2013.
During my posdoctoral period, I have been granted three postdoctoral fellowships in competitive calls, including one Plant Fellows grant (MSCA-COFUND) at the University of Stirling (UK), a “Juan de la Cierva – Incorporación” at the University of Sevilla, and my current MSCA-IF-GF grant at the Universities of Sevilla and Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa). In addition, I have participated in eight large research projects funded in competitive calls of various Spanish Government Agencies. My research network has included so far more than 20 collaborations with scientists from 11 institutions in Spain, UK, USA, Sweden and South Africa. This has resulted in 22 research publications in international journals, 13 of them as first or sole author and 14 of them in Q1 journals, including "Nature Communications", “New Phytologist”, "Evolution", "Journal of Ecology", or “Annals of Botany”. My articles have been cited 353 times (Google Scholar; h-index=11). My review activity includes forty-four articles in the period 2012-2023.
My outreach publication record at national level in Spain includes one book (“Flora and fauna of the Aliaga Geopark”), one book chapter and five articles about plant biodiversity topics, most of these as first author. I have leaded also a number of dissemination activities in Spain and UK, including three outreach talks organised in collaboration with NGOs and councils in Zaragoza and Teruel (2011-2013), the preparation of leaflets and information panels during the performance of my research experiment with Mimulus in two Botanic Gardens in UK (2015), one participation in the Researchers Night of Sevilla (2020), one dissemination talk and round table at the Stellenbosch Botanic Garden (South Africa, 2023), and nine seminars and outreach activities in schools, highschools and University students associations (2020-2023).
My teaching experience comprises more than 400 hours of university lectures, mainly in the subjects “Principles in Botany”, “Applied Botany”, “Botany II” at the University of Sevilla. I have also supervised seven undergraduate, one Msc and three PhD students (including current supervisions) and participated in two workshops to share scientific skills with other academics in my hosting institutions. I have also participated in 20 scientific meetings, including eight oral presentations at international events and the organization of two congresses: XIV MEDECOS & AEET meeting 2017, as Organization volunteer; and the XIV ECOFLOR meeting, as Organization head. The attendance to seven additional scientific meetings and to a total of 16 workshops and courses have ensured my continuous training in scientific topics of my interest.