Maria Valadez Ingersoll

Maria Valadez Ingersoll is a PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology, co-advised by Dr. Sarah Davies and Dr. Tom Gilmore. She earned a B.A. in both Biology and Spanish from Swarthmore College in 2020. Maria’s research focuses on the mechanisms by which coral reefs are responding to anthropogenic climate change – a theme which she approaches from a variety of perspectives. In one project, Maria investigated how the ability of cnidarians to form a symbiosis with single-celled algae can modulate the cnidarian’s response to starvation. In another project, Maria is using single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate differences in coral cell-type gene expression profiles across states of symbiosis and different host-symbiont partnerships. With URBAN, Maria is designing science outreach curricula to be implemented around field sites of BU researchers. Outside of her research, Maria is passionate about science communication, and she partners with local schools to bring marine conservation into the classroom. Additionally, Maria is the President of a new graduate student group – SACNAS at BU – which is part of the national Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. To stay up to date on Maria’s many projects, follow her on Twitter: @MVIngersoll