MIC.RO
Laboratory of Marine Multi-partner Symbioses
JOHANA ROTTEROVA
Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor
Department of Marine Sciences
University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
La Parguera, Magueyes Island, PR, USA
ANA G MEDINA-MARTINEZ
PhD Student
Ana is a recent MSc graduate, now pursuing her PhD.
She focuses on Sargassum, its ecological importance,
and the microorganisms associated with it, including potential symbiotic relationships. She aims to answer questions that can help mitigate both local and global threats to our oceans and the planet. She takes a holistic approach in her work, passionate about the interconnection between land and sea, and is deeply interested in agroecology and how sustainable land management can benefit marine ecosystems.
MARTÍN G LÓPEZ-JORDÁN
PhD Student
Martín López Jordán joined the lab in August 2025.
He completed his BSc in Animal Science at the University
of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biological Oceanography. His research focuses on establishing oyster aquaculture as a commercial industry in Puerto Rico as well as helping develop practices to make it in a sustainable fashion. Apart from the University, Martin works as an Extensionist for Sea Grant PR and is the Co-founder of the Caribbean Aquaculture Research
and Technology Institute, where he works to develop infrastructure, methodology and new opportunities
for developing aquaculture related industries.
CATALINA APONTE-CARTAGENA
Graduate Student
Catalina Aponte Cartagena has joined the lab in August 2024. She is currently pursuing MSc in Biological Oceanography with aspirations to do a PhD. Catalina completed her Bachelors
in Natural Science with a concentration in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey campus. Her research interest includes marine microorganisms and their symbiotic relationships, the genetic overlooks of their evolution and how climate change correlates to these topics. Outside of academia she enjoys the arts, outdoor activities and spending time
with her dogs and family.
GINA FULLER
Graduate Student
Gina Fuller has joined the lab in August 2024. She is a Master's student with a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. She's interested in marine microbiology, ecology and symbioses, and is looking forward to explore protist symbioses in marine invertebrates. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the island, practicing surfing and taking dance classes- her current favorite style is aerial silks. Gina is also a certified Divemaster and loves being underwater whenever she can.
MARISSABEL GONZÁLEZ-CAMPOS
Graduate Student
Marissabel has recently completed her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Microbiology (UPRM) and enrolled into the Biological Oceanographt MSc program at Department of Marine Sciences. She enjoys her time swimming or drawing and future topics that pique her interest are the symbiosis between zooplankton and ciliates, along with other ecological interactions at the microscopic level.
