UW’s Mazzamuto a Member of Earth Hologenome Initiative

Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto is a member of the Earth Hologenome Initiative (EHI), an international organization that recently had its first paper published and is currently studying red squirrels in Eurasia.

Mazzamuto, a University of Wyoming research scientist in the Koprowski Conservation Research Lab in the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, was co-author of a paper, titled “A Global Initiative for Ecological and Evolutionary Initiatives,” that was recently published in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution. The University of Copenhagen in Denmark led the research on the paper that outlines the mission and goals of EHI.

EHI is a global collaboration that generates and analyzes hologenomic data from wild animals and their microorganisms. Initially focused on vertebrates, the project reexamines ecological and evolutionary questions through the lens of host-microbiota interactions. EHI conducts innovative research; participates in global collaborations; discovers ecological and evolutionary insights; and is considered ethical and inclusive.

“I am one of the 242 researchers who have voluntarily decided to become part of this global network,” Mazzamuto says. “I have provided samples for squirrels, marmots and small mammals coming from Mongolia, where I am leading several research projects on the mammalian community of one of the oldest protected areas in the world, Bogd Khan Mountain. Specifically, I’m looking at the protected area for the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris).”

In addition to Mazzamuto and John Koprowski, dean of the Haub School, researchers involved in the red squirrel research are from Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The group is studying the relationship between ecological niche properties of the Eurasian red squirrel and the Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), their genomic features and their gut metagenomic characteristics across their entire geographical distribution.

For more information about the red squirrel research project, go to www.earthhologenome.org/squirrel_hologenomics.html.

EHI has already collected more than 8,500 samples from 245 species, generating over 10 terabases of data. Future phases will focus on targeted studies and integrating hologenomic data to address critical biological questions, Mazzamuto says.

“I have personally contributed through several mammalian samples coming from Mongolia where, with Dr. Koprowski, I have several ongoing projects focused on wildlife conservation,” she says. “Some of the projects in Mongolia have been funded by the Haub School and UW Center for Global Studies.”

Mazzamuto’s research at UW focuses on conservation and behavioral ecology of wildlife, and, broadly, her research interests include spatial ecology, animal personality, interspecific interaction, invasive species and parasitology. Mazzamuto’s work combines field data collection and statistical and geospatial analyses to examine direct and indirect effects of humans on vertebrate conservation.

Mazzamuto received her Ph.D. in biodiversity analysis, protection and management from the University of Insubria-Italy; her master’s degree in biodiversity and nature conservation and her bachelor’s degree in biology, both from the University of Catania-Italy.

“Highlighting UW's role in this groundbreaking project would underscore our commitment to cutting-edge research and enhance our scientific visibility,” she says of EHI. “It also could drive more UW researchers to the initiative.”

For more information about EHI, go to www.earthhologenome.org.