Overview
Background
I am a biologist interested in the general question of how changes in developmental processes can lead to evolutionary variation and origin of complex traits (such as neural circuits). I study development and evolution of the brain of mammals. My doctoral thesis studied brain regions involved in olfactory and pheromonal communication in mammals. I discovered several events of parallel co-variation of sensory pathways in distantly related species sharing similar ecological niches, as cases of ontogenetic and phylogenetic plasticity. Currently, I study development and evolution of neocortical circuits by following two main lines of research: one aims to determine how early neuronal activity emerges during development and help shape brain connections, and the other one aims to understand what developmental processes led to evolutionary innovations in the mammalian brain. My research combines molecular development (electroporation, CRISPR), transcriptomics, sensory manipulations, neuroanatomy mapping (MRI, stereotaxic tracer injections, confocal and image analysis), optogenetics, and in vivo calcium imaging (multiphoton and widefield) in rodent pups and marsupial joeys.
Availability
- Associate Professor Rodrigo Suarez is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctoral Diploma of Biomedical Science, Universidad de Chile
Research interests
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Comparative vertebrate neuroanatomy
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Brain development
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Sensory neuroscience
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Neuroethology
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Evolutionary developmental biology
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Olfaction and pheromones
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Mammal zoology
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Neocortical development and function
Works
Search Professor Rodrigo Suarez’s works on UQ eSpace
2005
Journal Article
Undergraduate teaching of evolution in Chile : More than natural selection
Ahumada, Patricio, Astorga, Guadalupe, Bull-Hereñu, Kester, Cabrera, Ricardo, Caputo, Luciano, Carmona, Carlos, Cecchi, M. Claudia, Cortés, Nelson, Cortez, Soledad, Dorador, Cristina, Fredes, Felipe, Guerrero-Bosagna, Carlos, Henny, Pablo, Libedinsky, Camilo, Marcelo, Wara, Márquez, I. Natalia, Martínez, Jaime, Medina, Mauricio, Parra, Daniela, Pohl, Nélida, Pottstock, Hans, Ossandón, Tomás, Razeto, Pablo, Rubilar, David, Salas, Carlos, Salinas, Fernanda, Sepúlveda, Esteban, Soto, Carolina, Suárez, Rodrigo ... Villavicencio, Camila P. (2005). Undergraduate teaching of evolution in Chile : More than natural selection. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 78 (1), 169-170. doi: 10.4067/S0716-078X2005000100013
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Rodrigo Suarez is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Evolution and development of brain wiring genes in marsupials and placentals.
How does the brain acquire its connectivity pattern during development? What developmental features have been key to the generation of evolutionary diversity of brain architecture in mammals and other vertebrates? By studying comparative development of the cerebral cortex in selected species we aim to gain insights not only on the natural history of the human brain, but also on neurodevelopmental diseases that affect neocortical circuits such as autism and schizophrenia.
This project aims at elucidating the molecular evolution of genes involved in mammalian brain development. By comparing transcriptomic, cellular and developmental differences between mice and marsupials this project will shed light on the evolution of the largest tract in the brain: the corpus callosum. Highly motivated students with strengths in genetics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, developmental neurobiology, physiology and/or brain anatomy are encouraged to apply.
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Role of early neuronal activity on the formation of neocortical circuits
How does the brain acquire its connectivity pattern during development? What developmental features have been key to the generation of evolutionary diversity of brain architecture in mammals and other vertebrates? By studying comparative development of the cerebral cortex in selected species we aim to gain insights not only on the natural history of the human brain, but also on neurodevelopmental diseases that affect neocortical circuits such as autism and schizophrenia.
This project aims at elucidating the main roles of early sensory and spontaneous activity in the formation of neocortical layers, areas and circuits. By combining molecular, electrical and developmental manipulations in developing mammalian embryos and pups, this project will study how early events affect the precise formation of cortical features required for normal cognitive development. Highly motivated students with strengths in developmental neurobiology, neurophysiology, animal behaviour, signal analysis and/or computational sciences are encouraged to apply.
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Multiple projects in comparative and developmental neuroscience
How does the brain acquire its connectivity pattern during development? What developmental features have been key to the generation of evolutionary diversity of brain architecture in mammals and other vertebrates? By studying comparative development of the cerebral cortex in selected species we aim to gain insights not only on the natural history of the human brain, but also on neurodevelopmental diseases that affect neocortical circuits such as autism and schizophrenia.
Highly motivated students with a strong scientific formation and original ideas on the evolution and development of the nervous system are particularly encouraged to apply for a RHD student scholarship.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
A comparative study of telencephalic connectivity in marsupial and eutherian mammals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Fenlon
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the evolutionary history of early processes of neocortical development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Kozulin, Dr Laura Fenlon
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Doctor Philosophy
The anatomy and functional dynamics of aberrant brain connectivity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Fenlon
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Doctor Philosophy
Timing of gene expression in the evolution of mammalian brain traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Kozulin, Dr Laura Fenlon
Completed supervision
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Conserved and divergent mechanisms of cortical development across mammalian brain evolution
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Laura Fenlon
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Evolution of the mammalian brain: using phylogenetic comparative methods to study brain evolution in three mammalian clades
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Simone Blomberg
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Cellular and genetic regulation of interhemispheric fissure remodelling and corpus callosum formation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Kozulin
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Rodrigo Suarez directly for media enquiries about:
- anatomy
- animal behaviour
- animal ethics
- animal models
- animal research
- artificial life
- autism
- autopoiesis
- axon guidance
- brain anatomy
- brain development
- Brain evolution
- brain plasticity
- brain recovery
- brain wiring
- cerebral cortex
- connectome
- Corpus callosum
- critical period
- environmental enrichment
- epigenetics
- ethology
- evolution
- evolutionary theory
- experience
- gene therapy
- genetics
- human brain
- in vivo microscopy
- larmarckism
- learning
- living systems
- magnetic resonance imaging
- mammals
- nature versus nurture debate
- neocortex
- neural stem cells
- neuroanatomy
- neurodevelopmental disease
- neuroethology
- neuronal programming
- olfaction
- optogenetics
- perception
- pheromones
- philosophy of biology
- philosophy of science
- schizophrenia
- sensory systems
- sexual behaviour in animals
- smell
- social behaviour
- teaching
- trancriptome
- zoology
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