Sara Rodrigues Passos Rocha

Sara Rodrigues Passos Rocha is a Researcher at the University of Vigo, Spain, affiliated with the Faculty of Biology, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, and the Marine Research Center. She leads the XB2 EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION research group, focusing on genetic mechanisms underlying biodiversity and evolutionary processes in marine and island ecosystems.

Her research spans evolutionary genetics, biodiversity conservation, marine genomics, phylogeography, and speciation. She investigates genetic diversity patterns in marine species (e.g., European hake, cockles), island biogeography of reptiles (particularly geckos), and transmissible cancers in marine invertebrates. Her work integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and phylogeographic approaches to study adaptation, population declines, and conservation needs under climate change pressures.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant themes in marine cancer evolution (especially transmissible leukemias in bivalves), reptile dispersal mechanisms across oceanic barriers, and conservation genetics of vulnerable marine populations. Her research frequently employs next-generation sequencing to address speciation history, inbreeding effects, and human-mediated species invasions, with strong emphasis on Western Indian Ocean and European coastal ecosystems.

Dr. Rocha actively contributes to the Marine Research Center of the University of Vigo through the XB2 research group, which conducts field and genomic studies on evolutionary adaptation and biodiversity conservation. Her collaborative projects span international teams studying marine genomics, island biogeography, and conservation strategies for threatened species.