Ana Salgado, Program Coordinator

I am the program coordinator for the Louisiana Graduate Network in Applied Evolutionary Biology (LAGNiAppe) Postbaccalaureate Research Program In the past I conducted research on how organisms respond to variable ecosystems, with a primary focus on plant-herbivore interactions. I utilized lepidoptera as model systems to explore both genetic adaptations along elevational gradients and behavioral adaptations in response to drought and sodium conditions. My work delved into the pivotal role of plants in these interactions, with a specific emphasis on comprehending how the quality of phytochemistry can be harnessed as a defense mechanism against herbivores. My current research contributes to our understanding of how populations with varying heat tolerance can genetically rescue at-risk populations under future climatic conditions.