- Info
profile
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Research interests
My research interests focus on understanding the responses that organisms have to a changing environment (ocean acidification and warming) and how they may be adapting in order to cope with the new conditions to which they are being exposed. I am interested in responses at the individual level (physiology, reproduction, respiration), population level (geographic distribution, behaviour) and ecosystem level (interaction between species, phenology).
Education
2009-present
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PhD research student at SAMS UHI
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2008-2009
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MRes in Marine Science, University of Plymouth
Thesis at the MBA "Temperature Induced Changes in Gonad Development and Cycle of Gibbula umbilicalis (da Costa)." The aims of the project were to determine the effects of different temperature regimes over gonad development in the species, to examine a longitudinal temperature gradient along the English Channel and determine its effect over the species reproduction at five different sites, and to determine changes in gonad development between 2007 and 2009 of the Mount Batten population of G. umbilicalis.
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1998-2003
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Biology studies: Pontifica Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia)
Undergraduate project "Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song structure for the Colombian Pacific population throughout September of 1997". The aims of the project were to characterize the sounds and determine the structure of the song of the Humpback whale population of the Colombian Pacific and to develop an objective methodology to characterize the sounds and structure of the song.
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project
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Project description and objectives
Over the past decades an increase in sea surface temperatures of more than 1 degree has been observed as well as changes in the carbonate chemistry: oceanic pH has decreased by 0.1 units and aragonite and calcite saturation horizons (upon which calcification-dissolution depends) have shoaled. These changes in the environment have been reported to have important consequences for marine organisms (Parmesan, 2006; Fabry et al 2008; Guinotte and Fabry, 2008).
This project aims to understand the effects of acidification and warming on the physiology, growth, calcification rate and overall survival of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa. Experiments independently manipulating temperature and pCO2 will provide physiological data for the species, filling the gaps in current knowledge. Coupled experiments, using both temperature and pCO2 manipulations will allow predictions on the species adaptability and survival when exposed to predicted condition for the end of the century using the IPCC business as usual scenario.
Supervisors
Dr. Kim Last (Director of Studies), SAMS
Dr. Murray Roberts, Herriot-Watt University
Dr. Henrik Stahl, SAMS
Project funder
EPOCA (EU FP7)
University
University of the Highlands and Islands
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publications
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- de Francisco-Mora, B. Acosta, A. Davies, S (2004) Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song structure for the Colombian Pacific population throughout September of 1997. Oral presentation. 11th South American Specialists on Aquatic Mammals Work Reunion and 5th Congress of the Specialists on Aquatic Mammals Society (SOLAMAC). Quito, Ecuador
- de Francisco-Mora, B, Mieszkowska, N, Foggo, A. (in prep.) Temperature Induced Changes in Gonad Development and Cycle of Gibbula umbilicalis (da Costa).
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other
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Prizes, awards and bursaries
2008 Studentship Colfuturo Grant
2007 Studentship Colfuturo Grant
Conferences and Meetings attended
| 2010 |
Second Annual Meeting of EPOCA (European Project on Ocean Acidification). Bremerhaven. Germany |
| 2010 |
European Marine Biology Symposium. Heriot-Watt University. Edinburgh. UK |
| 2004 |
11th South American Specialists on Aquatic Mammals Work Reunion and 5th
Congress of the Specialists on Aquatic Mammals Society (SOLAMAC). Quito,
Ecuador |
Courses and other qualifications
| Aug 2010 |
Experimental design & data analysis for marine biologists. University of Gothenburg, Strömstad, Sweden |
| May 2010 |
Marine Mammal Observer Induction Training Course |
Apr 2010
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Personal Survival Techniques (PST) Course |
2007-2008
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Diploma in Bilingual Teaching. Universidad UNICA-Colegio Nueva Granda (Bogotá, Colombia) |
2003
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Certificate in Advance English (CAE). University of Cambridge. ESOL Examinations. |
2002
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Certified SCUBA diver. PADI. Open Water Diver. |
Cruise experience
May 2010 Mingulay Cruise: Coral sample collection. RV Calanus
Teaching
2009
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Rocky-shore Field Teaching Assistant: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (MBA) |
2005-2008
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High-school, Primary and Pre-School Biology Teacher: Colegio Santa Maria (Bogotá, Colombia) |
2002-2005
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High-school Biology Teacher: Gimnasio La Montaña (Bogotá, Colombia) |
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Miss Beatriz de Francisco Mora
E: beatriz.defrancisco@sams.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1631 559 345
F: +44 (0)1631 559 001
Scottish Marine Institute
Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA, UK
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