Maria del Pilar de la Rua Tarin

Maria del Pilar de la Rua Tarin is a Professor at the University of Murcia, affiliated with the Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. She holds a PhD in Zoology from the Universidad de Murcia (1999), focusing on genetic variability and phylogeny of Apis mellifera populations. Her research revolves around pollinator health, evolutionary genetics of bees, and conservation biology, with a focus on Mediterranean ecosystems and the impacts of human activities on pollinators.

Key areas of investigation include the effects of pesticides, pathogens (e.g., Nosema, Crithidia), and land-use changes on bee populations. She leads projects like WildPosh and PoshBee, addressing pan-European pollinator conservation and the mitigation of chemical stressors. Her work combines molecular techniques (e.g., microsatellite analysis, MALDI mass spectrometry) with ecological field studies to assess bee health and biodiversity.

Recent publications highlight advancements in bee health diagnostics, pesticide exposure modeling, and the genetic diversity of bee subspecies (e.g., Bombus terrestris, Apis mellifera iberiensis). Collaborations span academic and governmental institutions across Europe, emphasizing translational research for sustainable beekeeping practices.