Maria Cattell

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Maria Cattell

Lecturer of Biology

Biology

Bio

I received my doctorate in Biology from the University of South Florida in 2001. I have since taught a variety of biology course in a number of different institutions.

Degree

PhD in Evolutionary and Community Ecology, Population Genetics

University of South Florida

BS in Zoology

University of South Florida

Published Works

  • Terhune, A. E., Cuevas, T. M., Chen, X., Cattell, M., Wethey, I. C., Monley, M. A., Bland, R. M., Sutphin, B., Trahan, D. G., Taylor, R. M., Niswander, A. L., Jones, L. K., Baschal, E. E., Atunes, L., Dobbs, M., Gurnett, C., Appel, B., Gray, R., Miller, H. N. (2020). Mutations in KIF7 implicated in idiopathic scoliosis in humans and axial curvatures in zebrafish. Human Mutation, Early View https://doi.org/10.1002/humu.24162.
  • Square, A. T., Jandzik, D., Massey, L. J., Romasek, M., Stein, P. H., Stein, P. A., Purkayastha, A., Cattell, V. M., Medeiros, M. D. (2020). Evolution of the endothelin pathway drove neural crest cell diversification. Nature, 58563-568. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2720-z.
  • Square, T., Jandzik, D., Cattell, M., Hansen, A., Medeiros, M. D. (2016). Embryonic expression of endothelins and their receptors in lamprey and frog reveals stem vertebrate origins of complex Endothelin signaling. Scientific Reports, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep34282.
  • Square, T., Romášek, M., Jandzik, D., Cattell, M., Klymkowsky, M., Medeiros, D. (2015). CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus: a powerful tool for understanding ancestral gene functions in vertebrates. . Development, 142(23), 4180-4187. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.125609.
  • Jandzik, D., Garnett, T. A., Square, A. T., Cattell, V. M., Yu, K. J., Medeiros, M. D. (2015). Evolution of the new vertebrate head by co-option of an ancient chordate skeletal tissue. . Nature, 51834-537. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14000..
  • Square, T., Jandzik, D., Cattell, M., Coe, A., Doherty, J., Medeiros, M. D. (2015). A gene expression map of the larval Xenopus laevis head reveals developmental changes underlying the evolution of new skeletal elements. Developmental Biology, 397(2), 293-304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.10.016.
  • Van Otterloo, E., Li, W., Garnett, A., Cattell, M., Medeiros, M. D., Cornell, A. R. (2012). Novel Tfap2-mediated control ofsoxEexpression facilitated the evolutionary emergence of the neural crest. Development, 139(4), 720-730. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.071308.
  • Cattell, M., Garnett, T. A., Klymkowsky, A. M., Medeiros, M. D. (2012). A maternally established SoxB1/SoxF axis is a conserved feature of chordate germ layer patterning.. Evolution and Development, 14(1), 104-115. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-142X.2011.00525.x.
  • Cattell, M., Lai, S., Cerny, R., Medeiros, M. D. (2011). A New Mechanistic Scenario for the Origin and Evolution of Vertebrate Cartilage. PLoS ONE, 6(7), e22474. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0022474.
  • Cerny, R., Cattell, M., Sauka-Spengler, T., Bronner-Fraser, M., Yu, F., Medeiros, M. D. (2010). Evidence for the prepattern/cooption model of vertebrate jaw evolution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(40), 17262-17267. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1009304107.
  • Cattell, M., Karl, A. S. (2004). Genetics and morphology in a Borrichia frutescens and B. arborescens (Asteraceae) hybrid zone.. American Journal of Botany, 91(11), 1757-1766. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.3732/ajb.91.11.1757.
  • Cattell, M., Stiling, P. (2004). Tri-trophic interactions and trade-offs in herbivore fecundity on hybridising host plants. . Ecological Entomology, 29(3), 255-263. https://doi.org/DOI:10.1111.
  • Stiling, P., Cattell, M., Moon, C. D., Rossi, A., Hungate, A. B., Hymus, G., Drake, B. (2002). Elevated atmospheric CO2 lowers herbivore abundance, but increases leaf abscission rates. Global Change Biology, 8(7), 658-667. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.2002.00501.x.

Research Interests

My dissertation focused on evolutionary ecology, plant-herbivore interactions, community ecology and population genetics. I have also worked extensively in evolutionary developmental biology, studying the role of various genetic regulatory networks in the evolution of the vertebrate head. Currently I am working on genetic manipulation of coral genomes for conservation purposes using live Aiptasia sea anemones as a model.

Teaching Interests

I have taught General biology, non-majors biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, conservation biology and cell biology at different institutions over the past 25 years. My priority in teaching these classes is to create a collaborative learning environment for my students where they can become more then proficient with the material and gain a deep understanding of the biological concepts, how they are relevant to their lives and to solve problems with the knowledge they gain in my classes.

Office Hours

Monday 9am - 11am
Tuesday 7:45am - 8:45am
Thursday 7:45am - 8:45am
Saturday 12 - 1