Microbes, credited as the first forms of life, are now found everywhere: within us, on us and even shared between us. This may freak out germaphobes, but Dr. Rio aims to convince us all to appreciate these little guys! Big breakthroughs in genome sequencing have advanced our understanding of microbes, highlighting the biological benefits we may reap from our microbial friendships, such as boosted immunity and essential nutrient absorption. Dr. Rio’s research focuses on the naturally simple microbiota of invertebrates, spanning from tsetse flies to leeches, and how their microbial alliances have integrated into host biology, enabling their essential passage through generations. This research offers hope towards the discovery of novel molecules and pathways that span a continuum of applications, from the bettering of health to the control of disease vectors. The knowledge gained from these simpler model systems may be extrapolated to inform our understanding of more complex microbiotas, such as those within the human body.
Rita Rio's Bio
Dr. Rita Rio is an Associate Professor of Biology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. She joined the faculty in 2007 and was instrumental in developing a departmental emphasis in genomics. Rio’s research on the evolution of host-associated microbiotas and the role these play in health and ecology has won national funding. Her lab focuses on the discovery of novel molecules and methods, with a particular focus on microbiota applications for the biocontrol of vector-borne diseases. Rio serves on the editorial review board of the journals Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Frontiers of Microbiology and Scientific Reports. She has also served on advisory panels for the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
Rita Rio, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Eberly College of Arts & Sciences
Breakout Session 3: 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Breakout Session 4: 2:30-3:15 p.m.