Ma. Catalina Gomez-Espinosa

Academic Background
Dr. Catalina Gómez-Espinosa is a Mexican scientist with a strong background in the biological and geological sciences. Her academic career began at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where she completed all three of her university degrees:
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at the Faculty of Sciences (1994–1998), graduating with an outstanding GPA of 9.58. Her thesis, focused on the taxonomy and biogeography of terrestrial mollusks in Quintana Roo, already reflected her interest in systematics and ecology.
Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences (Systematics) at the Institute of Geology, UNAM (2000–2002), where she deepened her research on Cretaceous gastropods.
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, also at the Institute of Geology, UNAM (2005–2008). Her doctoral dissertation, a taphonomic and taxonomic analysis of the Paleozoic calcareous macrobenthos of Sonora, highlights her specialization in paleoecology and fossilization processes.
Her training was further enriched through high-level postdoctoral research stays at national and international institutions, such as the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology (ICMyL) at UNAM, the Argentine Institute of Oceanography (IADO) in Bahía Blanca, Argentina (with an OAS fellowship), and the Institute of Nuclear Sciences at UNAM.
Professional Career and Academic Leadership
With over fifteen years of teaching experience at UNAM, Dr. Gómez-Espinosa has taught core courses such as Paleobiology, Earth Sciences, and Micropaleontology at the Faculties of Sciences and Engineering. For this work, she was awarded the Medal and Diploma for 15 years of teaching at the university.
Since 2015, she has served as a Full-Time Associate Research Professor at the Academic Unit of Earth Sciences (UACT) of the Autonomous University of Guerrero (UAGro), where she has strengthened both her research and her role in training new generations of scientists. At UAGro, she has taken on leadership roles, currently serving as Academic Deputy Director, Gender Unit Representative, and Coordinator of the Tutoring Program.
Research Lines and Notable Scientific Contributions
Dr. Gómez-Espinosa’s research focuses on several interdisciplinary fields of paleontology:
Taphonomy and Paleoecology: Studies fossilization processes and the reconstruction of past environments and communities, from the Paleozoic to the Pliocene.
Systematics and Taxonomy: Specialist in fossil mollusks (gastropods, bivalves) and other invertebrates, contributing to the understanding of Mexico’s ancient biodiversity.
Ichnology: Analyzes fossil tracks and traces (ichnofossils) to interpret animal behavior and environmental conditions.
Conservation Paleobiology: Uses the fossil record to understand current phenomena such as ocean acidification and climate change.
Her most significant achievements include:
Publishing more than 30 scientific papers in high-impact national and international journals (e.g., Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Journal of African Earth Sciences, Marine Pollution Bulletin).
Coauthoring books and teaching manuals widely used in the field, such as General Paleontology: Invertebrates.
Participating in over 15 research projects funded by institutions such as CONACYT, DGAPA-UNAM (PAPIIT), and the Organization of American States (OAS).
Supervising and mentoring numerous undergraduate and master’s theses, training specialists in geology and paleontology.
Actively participating in national and international conferences, with dozens of contributions in proceedings, reflects her strong commitment to the dissemination and discussion of scientific knowledge.
Management, Outreach, and Social Engagement
Dr. Gómez-Espinosa has shown a strong commitment to academic management and outreach. In addition to her current leadership positions, she has been:
Organizer of academic events such as the International Panel: Challenges of Geography in Latin America from the Perspective of Women.
Researcher in scientific summer programs (Delfín Program, UAGro Summer), promoting scientific careers among young students.
Mentor in the BecALAS program, supporting students in their professional development.
Active science communicator, delivering public lectures, workshops (such as Replicate Your Fossil), and participating in media outreach to bring science closer to society.
Recognition and International Projection
Her work has transcended national borders, with collaborations in countries such as Argentina, France, Algeria, and Tunisia, as well as the publication of book chapters with prestigious international publishers such as Springer Nature. Her research stay at the National University of the South (Argentina) in 2019 further underscores her international projection.