BrainMap

Ramona-Elena Irimia

Dr

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow - Institute of Evolution & Ecology, University of Tübingen

Researcher

I am a plant ecologist with an interest in ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that enable species to adapt to environmental change. I use invasive plants as study systems and a combination of fieldwork, common garden experiments, statistics and genomic approaches to investigate species resilience to climate change, invasive potential and adaptive capacity across native and introduced ranges. Recently, I have also begun exploring herbarium collections and archival DNA to study eco-evolutionary changes in natural populations over time.

Curriculum Vitae (08/05/2025)

Expertise & keywords

Spatiotemporal dynamics of invasion in a global invader plant Call name:
2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen

Project partners: Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen ()

Affiliation: Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen ()

Project website:

Abstract:

The project aims to investigate the genomic basis of plant invasiveness in the Japanese knotweed species complex – one of the world`s worst 100 invasive weeds, by combining temporal genomics from herbarium collections with a DNA target capture approach to develop tools for functional genomic research.

CloneInvasion - Eco-evolutionary dynamics of biological invasions reconstructed from ancient DNA Call name:
101033168 2022 - 2023

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen

Project partners: Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen ()

Affiliation: Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen ()

Project website: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101033168

Abstract:

Invasive species can act as models for studying rapid evolution and adaptation, species colonization and climate change. Many questions remain concerning the eco-evolutionary dynamics of invasive species and the evolutionary processes operating at different stages of species spread and invasion. The project will study the invasive Japanese knotweed species complex to better understand species colonization and range expansion. By combining historical DNA from herbarium collections with high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies and bioinformatics, the initiative will investigate key transitions and drivers of plant colonization, range expansion and invasion abilities across space and time and reconstruct the species biogeographic history.

Invasive species - ecological and genomic approaches towards understanding local adaptation and early stages of allopatric speciation Call name:
SFRH/BD/110987/2015 2016 - 2020

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: University of Coimbra

Project partners: University of Coimbra (); Durham University ()

Affiliation: University of Coimbra ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Invasive species are optimum model systems to understand the early stages of allopatric speciation, a keystone concept of evolutionary biology. Divergent selection to different environments can drive to reproductive isolation and, eventually, speciation. Moreover, since approximate introduction dates are often known, the rate at which adaptations develop can be determined. There is limited experimental information on the mechanisms involved in the origin and spread of newly adapted traits. The annual Centaurea solstitialis is an ideal study system. It is native to Eurasia, and invasive in Australia and the Americas. It developed different sets of local adaptations to different regions, including some degree of reproductive isolation. We will study the worldwide geographic mosaic of local adaptation by using experimentally produced intra- and inter-regional hybrids (native x non-native), in order to understand the heritability and dominance of expression of local adaptations in allopatry, and how repeatable is evolutionary change resulting in invasiveness.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects