Mitzy Porras

Mitzy Porras is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at San Francisco State University (SFSU), joining in 2024. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from Pennsylvania State University and holds a BSc (Honors) in Biology. Her research focuses on global change drivers and their impacts on species interactions, spanning molecular biology to ecosystem-level processes. She integrates physiology, behavior, and ecology to study microbiome dynamics, thermal adaptation, and pest management.

Research interests include microbe-host interactions, land-use change, and the effects of abiotic stressors on species survival. Her lab employs interdisciplinary approaches, combining molecular techniques, GIS, and electrical engineering to inform ecosystem management strategies.

Publications emphasize the effects of environmental stressors on insects, such as fungicide impacts on solitary bees, heat tolerance of pathogens, and aphid habitat selection. Collaborators include institutions like Penn State, Aarhus University, and the University of São Paulo. She mentors undergraduate and graduate students in projects like Pseudomonas protegens’ impact on corn aphids and pesticide effects on leafhoppers.

Teaching includes courses in entomology, independent study, and graduate research. The Porras Lab welcomes students interested in global change ecology and offers undergraduate research opportunities through SFSU scholarships. Lab safety certifications are mandatory for all members.