Antonia Picornell Rigo

Dr. Antonia Picornell Rigo is a Full Professor of Genetics at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology. She has held academic governance roles including Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sciences (2012-2016) and Director of the PhD program in Biomedical and Evolutionary Biotechnology since 2022.

• PhD in Biology (1992), UIB
• Graduate in Biology (Extraordinary Award, 1998), UIB

Her research focuses on Population Genetics with special emphasis on isolated populations, including:

• Human Population Genetics (Balearic Islands, Chueta community, Salta/Argentina, Morocco)
• Conservation Genetics of Mediterranean marine species (Podarcis lizards, scorpionfish)
• Mitochondrial DNA dynamics in Drosophila subobscura
• Viral-host interactions in HCV/HIV co-infections

Recent publications highlight multidisciplinary approaches combining genetics with marine conservation, reproductive medicine, and forensic science. Her work has been funded by >50 national/regional grants and 2 European projects.

• Scientific Awards:
• Extraordinary Award (1998) for Biology degree

She has supervised doctoral theses and taught courses in Genetic Engineering, Human Genetics, and Molecular Genetics since 1988. Collaborations span institutions in Portugal, Argentina, Morocco, Spain, and the USA, including IPATIMUP, University of Salta, and Beth Israel Hospital.