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Biography
I am an evolutionary biologist from Brazil and my research centers on the morphological diversity of mammals and its correlation with ecological aspects. Currently, my work is dedicated to investigating the adaptive aspects of predatory behavior in rodents. I'm also involved in promoting gender diversity in science, being one of the founders of the Women in Science group at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Rafaela Missagia
Postdoctoral Researcher
Field Museum of Natural History
Interests
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Morphological Evolution
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Functional Morphology
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Phylogenetic Comparative Methods
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Stable Isotopes
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Neotropical Mammals
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Rodents
EDUCATION
2015-2019
Ph.D. in Zoology
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
(With a period at the Field Museum of Natural History)
2012-2014
M.Sc. in Ecology and Conservation
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
2007-2012
B.Sc. in Biological Sciences
Universidade Federal de Lavras
Fieldwork, Serra do Rola-Moça, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Fieldwork, Parque Nacional Cavernas do Peruaçu, Minas Gerais, Brazil (photo by Bárbara Rossi)
Screening paleontological material, Aurora do Tocantins, Tocantins, Brazil
Fieldwork, Serra do Rola-Moça, Minas Gerais, Brasil
RESEARCH
FUNCTIONAL MORPHOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF PREDATORY
RODENTS
Understanding how diet affects skull morphology of rodents, using geometric morphometrics, CTscan techniques and phylogenetic comparative methods.
STABLE ISOTOPES OF MAMMALS
Using a new proxy to elucidate trophic relations of living and fossil mammals.
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DIVERSIFICATION PATTERNS ON VERTEBRATES
Investigating the interplay between trait evolution and diversification patterns using phylogenetic comparative methods.
PUBLICATIONS
Missagia, R. V., Patterson, B. D., Krentzel, D., Perini, F. A. Insectivory leads to functional convergence in a group of Neotropical rodents. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2021.
Gasparini, G. M., Parisi Dutra, R., Perini, F. A., Croft, D. A., Cozzuol, M. A., Missagia, R. V., Lucas, S. G. On the Supposed Presence of Miocene Tayassuidae and Dromomerycinae (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla) in South America. American Museum Novitates, v. 3968, p. 1-27, 2021.
NEWS
Teaching Phylogenetic Comparative Methods at UFMG
This month, I taught the 'Introduction to Phylogenetic Comparative Methods' course to Zoology grad students at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. It's always a blast sharing and learning from the students — we had some awesome discussions this semester!
November 2023
Sharing my research at Field Museum's Latinx Heritage Month
I had the privilege of presenting at the Field Museum Armour Series during the Latinx Heritage Month. I shared insights about my PhD journey, delving into the evolutionary pathways of predatory rodents. It was a true honor to discuss my research among friends and colleagues from the FMNH, all while shedding light on some of these incredible rodents! You can find the lecture recording here.
September 2023
Talking about our preliminary results on the comparative analysis of akodontine masticatory muscles
During the 13th International Mammalogical Congress, I had the privilege of participating in a symposium dedicated to leveraging CT technology within natural history collections to deepen insights into mammalian studies. During this event, I shared our recent endeavors exploring the morphology of masticatory muscles in Akodontini rodents. It was a great opportunity to gain insights and exchange ideas with fellow mammalogists. In the photo, from left to right, are Noé de la Sancha, Heitor Bissoli-Silva, myself, Ramon Nagesan, Cody Thompson, and Jessica Light.
July 2023
