Melanie Morales Fernández

Biography

Melanie Morales Fernández is Professor from Department of Plant Physiology at University of Barcelona. Her topic of interest is Ecophysiology, oxidative stress markers, antioxidants, photoprotection, senescence

Research Interest

Environmental conditions strongly influence the physiological response of plants, regulating their main adaptive/protective mechanisms. To study the ecophysiological response to drought, high radiation, low temperatures or nutritional deficiency, among others, is essential to deepen the universal mechanisms that explain the fascinating adaptive plasticity of plants, given its direct application in environmental management and/or crops improvement. My research interests are focused on the ecophysiological response to environmental stressors (abiotic and/or biotic factors) in plants. In particular, my research tries to understand which photoprotection mechanisms are activated and which physiological markers interplay the plant adaptive responses to environment. To address this fundamental question, I use a multitude of methodologies including functional traits (water and nutrient characterization, photosynthetic apparatus activity) as well as biochemical parameters (redox status, antioxidants such as vitamin E and carotenoids, reactive oxygen species, and phytohormones). My great interest in ecophysiology leads me to inquire into various models, from endemic species (subjected to specific environmental conditions) to alpine species (adapted to extreme conditions and strong annual thermal oscillations), and Mediterranean plants adapted to large seasonal variations. Furthermore, I consider it essential to advance in scientific knowledge by integrating different disciplines, for that I collaborate with international ecologists focusing on how physiological functional traits regulate field populations through trade-offs.