Maria Puig Ribas
Qualifications
Degree in Veterinary Medicine
MSc Wild Animal Health
EBVS European Specialist in Wildlife Population Health
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Position
PhD candidate
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Contact details
Phone: +34 671366038
Email: mariapuigribas@gmail.com
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3242-0758
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Research Overview
I am a PhD candidate and a Wildlife Population Health resident (ECZM) supervised by Dr. Oscar Cabezón, Dr. Albert Martínez and Prof. Ignasi Marco. I am currently investigating the dynamics of chytridiomycosis in alpine amphibian communities. This work will hopefully have implications for the management of free-living amphibian populations affected by chytridiomycosis globally. More broadly, I work for the conservation of wildlife species at a national and international level.
Soon after, I became Guest Researcher in the group, developing field and laboratory work and producing several publications and conference communications. Specifically, I participated in epidemiological studies on Toxoplasma gondii in wild animals and in projects focused on infectious diseases at the livestock-wildlife interface. I have also worked in several national and international institutions including wildlife rescue centers (Spain and USA), zoological collections (Spain, USA and UK) and wildlife research groups (Spain and UK), gaining experience in research, laboratory and clinical skills.
In 2017-2018, I undertook the MSc in Wild Animal Health, taught by the Royal Veterinary College and the Zoological Society of London, and I earned a Distinction. My MSc Research Project was focused on the study of potentially zoonotic paramyxoviruses in a captive colony of African fruit bats in Ghana with the aim of improving our knowledge on some epidemiological features of these viruses. After my graduation, I worked with the Frog Research Team in Australia, exploring the mechanisms of host-pathogen coexistence and assisting with population recovery in endangered frog species.
Background​
I completed my Degree in Veterinary Science at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, Spain) in 2015. During my studies, I became intern student at the Wildlife Disease Research Group (UAB), where I developed my undergraduate thesis focused on the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in freshwater ecosystems in Spain.
Career Goals​
As a veterinarian with passion for wildlife, my main research interests are the ecology and epidemiology of infectious diseases in wild animals and their application into conservation. Ultimately my career goal is to contribute to the sustainability of wild animal populations and ecosystems through critical research and help in raising public awareness.
