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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

Assistant Professor

Universidade de São Paulo

 

 
 
 
E-mail

rafaelamissagia@gmail.com 

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Interests

  • Morphological Evolution

  • Functional Morphology

 

  • Phylogenetic Comparative Methods

  • Stable Isotopes

  • Neotropical Mammals

  • Rodents

EDUCATION

HOME
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

RESEARCH

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.

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STABLE ISOTOPES OF MAMMALS

Using a new proxy to elucidate trophic relations of living and fossil mammals.

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PALEONTOLOGY OF NEOTROPICAL MAMMALS

Studying the systematics and evolution of Neotropical fauna.

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DIVERSIFICATION PATTERNS ON VERTEBRATES

Investigating the interplay between trait evolution and diversification patterns using phylogenetic comparative methods.

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PUBLICATIONS

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. GOn the Supposed Presence of Miocene Tayassuidae and Dromomerycinae (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla) in South America. American Museum Novitates, v. 3968, p. 1-27, 2021.

NEWS

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

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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

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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

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CONTACT
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