Fitxa persona

Summary: I obtained my PhD in Marine Sciences (University of Alicante, 2014) and have since built an interdisciplinary profile in zoology that integrates, marine parasitology, biological oceanography and advanced statistical analysis. My research combines morphological, molecular, and quantitative approaches to characterise the diversity, transmission pathways and ecological relevance of parasites, pathogens and epibionts in mesozooplankton communities, and to understand how these symbiotic interactions respond to oceanographic variability in coastal and upwelling systems. During my predoctoral stage (JAE-CSIC competitive 
fellowship), I co-designed and implemented the zooplankton sampling strategy of the CAIBEX oceanographic campaign, focused on the African upwelling system. I applied combined plankton sampling techniques, advanced taxonomic identification, and molecular analyses. I identified several scientifically relevant hosts–parasite associations (e.g., Bolbosoma balaenae, Rhadinorhynchus spp., Anisakis pegreffii, Ellobiopsis sp.) and described a new epibiont species, Pelagacineta hebensis. These contributions involved morphometrics, dissection, DNA extraction, PCR (COI, 18S), primer design and phylogenetic reconstruction (BLAST, ClustalW, MEGA). Additionally, I have broad experience in ecological and statistical modelling, including PCA, PCO, PERMANOVA, DistLM, dbRDA, and ANOVA I/II with full assumption testing. My scientific output comprises 16 publications, 70% in top-25% 
CiteScore journals, one book chapter, 21 conference contributions, and an h-index of 8 (267 citations). I have participated in nationally and internationally funded projects such as FP7-PARASITE, CAIBEX, and LARECO, and served as Principal Investigator of the JOYA project on the biology of Pteria sterna and pearl production. I have held scientific responsibility in MEDITS campaigns, coordinating the systematic collection of biological samples.

My career also includes national and international mobility in leading research institutions, strengthening my research independence, my integration into multidisciplinary teams, and the consolidation of long-term collaborations in Europe and Latin America. Throughout my trajectory, I have combined research in marine parasitology, plankton ecology, aquaculture, and vertebrate palaeontology. These thematic shifts, linked to opportunities in different institutions, retain a strong zoological coherence based on the comparative study of morphology, ecology, and organism–environment interactions. Palaeontology strengthened my morpho-functional analytical skills, while aquaculture allowed me to apply zoological principles to living organisms and real challenges in sustainability and food security. This versatility has enriched my methodological and conceptual approach to contemporary marine parasitology.

Contribution to society. My research has direct relevance for aquaculture, coastal environmental management, and marine sustainability. I have collaborated with public institutions and the productive sector in Ecuador to improve farming practices, assess sanitary risks, and support responsible aquaculture development. I maintain an active commitment to outreach through symposia, Expociencia, seminars, and public engagement activities. Training and mentorship. I have accumulated around 2,000 hours of university teaching in invertebrate and vertebrate zoology, malacology, and aquatic animal pathology. I have supervised four BSc 
and two MSc theses, served on five thesis committees, and supported early-career researchers in statistical analysis, laboratory methods, and scientific writing. At the University of Valencia, I coordinate the interdisciplinary Biograu project (230 students/year), promoting scientific communication, critical thinking, and inquiry-based learning. I also develop innovative teaching resources, gamified activities, and accessible digital materials.

Other contributions. I am a reviewer for Aquaculture Environment Interactions and a member of the Equality Commission of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, contributing to institutional initiatives on inclusion and gender perspective. My background includes experience in zoological collections, marine fauna necropsies, and comparative morphology. Overall, my career reflects emerging leadership, research autonomy, technical excellence, and a sustained commitment to open science, training, and the transfer of knowledge to society.

RELEVANT MERITS 
Publications.

1. Jara, F.; Freites, L.*; Gregori, M.; Márquez, A.; Rodríguez-Pesantes, D.; Lodeiros, C. (2022). Effect of different nucleus sizes and culture duration on the quality of half pearls (MABÉ) produced by Pteria sterna. Aquaculture, 546. DOI.10.1016/.aquaculture.2021.737278 Q1 Aquatic Sciences. IF: 4.242. Scopus (5). Author position (AP): 3/6. CRediT: Coordinated planning and supervision of analytical and experimental tasks; managed the data workflow including metadata annotation, 
cleaning, and structuring; supported the statistical evaluation of biometric and pearl-quality datasets.

2. Gregori, M.*; Villón, J.; Jara, F.; Gonzabay-Tomalá, P.; Freites, L. (2019). Spatial and temporal spatfall of Pteria sterna in Equatorial coasts. Aquaculture, 511, 734258. DOI.10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.734258 Q1 Fisheries. IF: 3.022. Scopus (6). AP: 1/5. CRediT: Led 
spatial–temporal analysis of larval recruitment using ANOVA, PCA and multivariate methods; integrated environmental and biological datasets to interpret dispersal and settlement patterns; coordinated fieldwork, data curation and quality control.

3. Roura, Á.*; Antón Álvarez-Salgado, X.; González, Á.F.; Gregori, M.; Rosón, G.; Otero, J.; Guerra, Á. (2016). Life strategies of cephalopod paralarvae in a coastal upwelling system. Fisheries Oceanography, 25(3), 241–258. DOI.10.1111/fog.12151 Q1 Fisheries. IF: 1.57. Scopus (9). AP: 4/7. CRediT: Co-led the multivariate analysis of zooplankton variability using PCO, PERMANOVA and SIMPER; processed and curated taxonomic datasets for quantitative modelling; interpreted oceanographic drivers influencing community structure and life-history strategies.

4. Gregori, M.*; Fernández-Leborans, G.; Roura, Á.; González, Á.F.; Pascual, S. (2016). Description of a new epibiotic relationship (Suctorian–Copepoda) in NE Atlantic waters. Acta Zoologica, 97(2), 165–176. DOI.10.1111/azo.12113 Q1 Anatomy & Morphology. IF: 1.211. Scopus (9). AP: 1/5. CRediT: Led integrative taxonomic analysis combining morphological diagnostics, molecular tools and ecological assessment; oversaw collection and examination of copepod specimens; performed quantitative evaluation of abundance, distribution and sex-related patterns; coordinated laboratory and analytical personnel.

5. Gregori, M.; Roura, Á.; Abollo, E.; González, Á.F.; Pascual, S.* (2015). Anisakis simplex complex in zooplankton communities. Journal of Natural History, 49(13–14), 755–773. DOI.10.1080/00222933.2014.979260 Q2 Biodiversity Conservation. IF: 1.01. Scopus (37). AP: 1/5. CRediT: Led parasitological, molecular (ITS) and ecological analyses of Anisakis larvae; oversaw collection, processing and curation of euphausiid and mysid samples; performed quantitative diagnostics and host-use assessments; engaged external specialists to strengthen analytical interpretation.

6. Gregori, M.*; Aznar, F.J.; Abollo, E.; Roura, Á.; González, Á.F.; Pascual, S. (2013). Nyctiphanes couchii as intermediate host for Rhadinorhynchus sp. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 105(1), 9–20. DOI.10.3354/dao02611 Q1 Fisheries. IF: 1.586. Scopus (24). AP: 1/6. CRediT: Led identification of acanthocephalan larvae using morphological diagnostics, dissection and molecular 
tools (PCR, sequencing, ML phylogenetics); oversaw zooplankton collection and curation; conducted eco-parasitological analyses linking infection patterns to environmental variability; mobilised external expertise to reinforce analytical capacity.

7. Roura, Á.*; Álvarez-Salgado, X.A.; González, Á.F.; Gregori, M.; Rosón, G.; Guerra, Á. (2013). Short-term meso-scale variability of mesozooplankton communities in a coastal upwelling system. Progress in Oceanography, 109, 18–32. DOI.10.1016/.pocean.2012.09.003 Q1 Oceanography. IF: 3.708. Scopus (28). AP: 4/6. CRediT: Co-led multivariate modelling of zooplankton structure using PCO, PERMANOVA, PERMDISP, SIMPER, DistLM and dbRDA; oversaw processing and transformation of taxonomic and environmental datasets; integrated oceanographic, meteorological and biotic variables to interpret ecological gradients and mesoscale patterns.

8. Gregori, M.*, Aznar, F.J., Abollo, E., Roura, Á., González, Á.F., & Pascual, S. (2012). Nyctiphanes couchii as intermediate host for Bolbosoma balaenae (Acanthocephala) in temperate NE Atlantic waters. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 99(1), 37–47. DOI.10.3354/dao02611 Q1 Fisheries. IF: 1.734. Scopus (37). AP: 1/6. Led the integrative identification of the acanthocephalan larva using 
morphological diagnostics, dissection and molecular tools (18S, COI, ML phylogenetics). Oversaw zooplankton sampling, processing and curation of biological material. Performed eco-parasitological analyses linking host use with environmental context. Engaged external experts to reinforce analytical capacity and interpretation.

Congress.

1. Gregori, M.; González, Á.F.; Pascual, S. (2015). “Anisakis simplex complex (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in zooplankton communities from temperate NE Atlantic waters.” 9th International Symposium of Fish Parasites (ISFP). València, España. Oral communication. Author role: Led parasitological, molecular and ecological analyses; presented integrative results on host–parasite–environment interactions.
2. Gregori, M.; Pascual, S.; González, Á.F. (2015). “The complexity of studying mesozooplankton parasites under climate-change scenarios.” 9th International Symposium on Fish Parasites (ISFP). València, España. Poster. Author role: Conducted diagnostic analyses of parasitic assemblages and contributed multivariate interpretations linked to oceanographic variability.
3. Gregori, M.; Pascual, S.; González, Á.F. (2015). “The role of mesozooplankton as intermediate hosts of symbionts in NE Atlantic ecosystems.” 9th International Symposium on Fish Parasites (ISFP). València, España. Poster. Author role: Performed integrative morphological–molecular identification of symbionts; contributed ecological interpretation of transmission pathways.
4. Roura, Á.; Álvarez-Salgado, X.A.; González, Á.F.; Gregori, M.; Rosón, G.; Guerra, Á. (2012). “Mesozooplankton community structure associated with cephalopod paralarvae in a coastal upwelling system.” International Symposium on Marine Sciences (ISMS). Vigo, España. Oral communication. Author role: Processed and curated zooplankton data; applied multivariate and oceanographic analyses to interpret mesoscale ecological patterns.

Research projects.

BIODIVERSAL.- 1- BIODIVERSAL Biodiversity of helminth parasites in aquatic birds from the saltpans of Menorca: taxonomic, biological, ecological and conservation aspects (under review). Funder: Institut Menorquí d’Estudis, Ayudas a la Investigación IME-2025 (18 months, €4,500). IP: Stella Redón; EI: Maria Gregori. Tasks: zooplankton identification, sampling, manuscript preparation, and project dissemination.

MAReA- Mapping biological risks in marine aquaculture: a study based on models of parasite/pathogen dispersion through eDNA, morphology and oceanography (under review). Funder: Fundación Biodiversidad, MITECO, Spain (PLEAMAR 2025). 24 months. 349,486€. Institutions: University of Valencia and University of the Balearic Islands (coordinated project). Co-IP. Planned tasks: marine zooplankton sampling and processing, parasite identification (morphological and molecular), integrated data analyses, writing articles, presenting results and dissemination activities.

JOYA – Pearl culture in Pteria sterna (Palmar, Santa Elena). Funder: Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena (INCYT). PR: M. Gregori (UPSE). 30/06/2017–30/12/2019. $35,000. Led scientific design, personnel coordination, biological sampling schemes and statistical analyses of growth, performance and biomineral quality.

LARECO – Oceanography and trophic ecology of Octopus sp. paralarvae in a seasonal upwelling system. Funder: IIM-CSIC (national competitive call). PR: A.F. González (IIM-CSIC). 01/01/2012–31/12/2014. €115,000. Role: Predoctoral Researcher. Conducted 
zooplankton community analyses, marine parasitology and multivariate oceanographic modelling; coauthor of project-derived publications. CAIBEX – Coast–ocean exchange in the Canary–Iberian system. Funders: IIM-CSIC, UVigo, ULPGC, UIB. 01/11/2007–31/10/2015. €2,500,000. Role: Predoctoral Researcher. Participated in oceanographic cruises, CTD acquisition and mesozooplankton sampling; generated key biological datasets for parasitology and hydrographic variability research.

PARASITE – Parasite Risk Assessment in EU Fish Production Chains (FP7-KBBE). Ref.: FP7-KBBE-2012-6. Funder: European Commission (FP7). Coord.: IIM-CSIC. 2013–2015 (participation 2013–2014). €3,000,000. Role: Predoctoral Researcher. Performed molecular diagnostics (PCR, sequencing), managed genetic and parasitological datasets, and contributed to research outputs on larval transmission in zooplankton.

Contracts, technological or transfer merits.

Continued participation in knowledge-transfer activities linked to the aquaculture and fisheries sector, including collaboration with the National Chamber of Aquaculture (Ecuador) and technical contributions to projects aimed at optimising Pteria sterna culture, improving productive performance and sanitary management in mariculture systems. Significant contribution to the EU FP7 project PARASITE, focused on parasite risk assessment in European fish production chains, with direct transfer to regulatory bodies and marine health agencies. Active dissemination through sectoral forums (AQUAEXPO, Ecuadorian Aquaculture Congress, FIRMA), communicating scientific results to industry professionals, cooperatives and environmental authorities. Additional experience in science communication and public engagement through participation in the design and development of the Museo Megaterio (UPSE), supporting educational innovation, public understanding of science and the 
social valorisation of natural heritage.