Christina Vasquez

Christina Vasquez is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), affiliated with the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering. She specializes in marine physiology, focusing on how marine organisms respond to environmental stressors like climate change. Her research integrates physiological techniques with ecological observations to understand survival and sustainability in coastal ecosystems.

Education:

• B.S. in Animal Science from UC Davis (2006)
• M.S. in Biology from California State University, Northridge (2009)
• Ph.D. in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Florida (2013)

Research Interests: Vasquez investigates the physiological responses of marine organisms, particularly invasive mussels, to multiple stressors such as heat, salinity fluctuations, and food scarcity. Her work emphasizes the role of sirtuins in cellular stress recovery and metabolic regulation. She also explores the broader implications of climate change on coastal ecosystems through courses like the Marine Physiology Field Lab, which provides students hands-on research experience.

Key Projects: Recent studies include examining the effects of environmental stressors on Mytilus galloprovincialis in Marina del Rey, supported by LMU’s Seaver College Summer Opportunities for Advanced Research (SOAR) program. Students under her mentorship presented findings at the 2023 Western Society of Naturalists Conference.

Awards: Recipient of the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for Broadening Participation (2014) during her postdoc at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Advising & Outreach: Vasquez advises first-year students, mentors research projects, and collaborates with the Coastal Research Institute and Santa Monica Bay Foundation to address coastal environmental challenges. She emphasizes student engagement, encouraging office-hour visits and active participation in research.