Graduate student from Brazil started research at UTMN

— Where are you from?

— I am from the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. I came to Tyumen last December and I’m going to stay here until December 2022.

— Why did you choose Tyumen?

— I chose Tyumen because my laboratory in Brazil. headed by Dr. Almir Pepato. has a long-standing relationship with the X-BIO Institute of Tyumen University. Also, Dr. Pavel Klimov from X-BIO has visited my laboratory in Brazil and read us lectures on Acarology.

— What sphere do you conduct research in?

— I study Zoology: animals, their evolution and biodiversity, specifically mites.

— What can you say about your study at the University of Tyumen? What is the main difference from the study process in Brazil?

— The main difference is the equipment. University of Tyumen is really hi-tech and modern. Students have an opportunity to take good quality photographs that we can use in our research. In addition, Russian and Brazilian researchers practice different scientific approaches and specialties. I must say that Russian researches have a very extensive knowledge base.

— How can you apply your education in Brazil?

— Firstly, the main task right now is to finish my thesis because it will provide a foundation for my future studies in Brazil.

Among Acariformes (a superorder of mites), I mainly focus on the taxonomy, systematics, and the evolution of Parasitengona – a diverse group that includes more than 10,000 described species. However, this group’s real diversity may be much higher. For instance, when I was an unexperienced undergraduate student, I described three new species.

— Where do they dwell?

— The main characteristic of Parasitengona mites is their life cycle. It includes a parasitic larva and predatory post larval instars. The larvae can attack arthropods and vertebrates; some of them can even attack humans. For instance, mites of the family Trombiculidae have larvae that can attack humans and transmit scrub typhus, a potentially deadly disease widespread in the rural areas of Southeast Asia. Trombiculids’ role in transmitting diseases to other vertebrates, like bats, is still poorly understood.

Another example comes from Japan, where Parasitengona mites of the Balaustium genus infest building walls. At the same time, based on its ability to feed upon various agricultural pests, a different species of the Balaustium genus has been used as a biological control agent in the Netherlands and Argentina. Under certain conditions, these mites can be used as an alternative to pesticides.

Parasitengona mites, being a diverse group of predatory arthropods with thousands of species, can also be found in water, where they comprise a part of the trophic chain.

My research entails describing new species of this diverse group: extant specimens as well as fossils that lived 100 million years ago. I also use DNA to match larvae with adults, after they radically change their morphology. This works just like matching caterpillars to the butterflies of the same species. With this kind of information, I can answer evolutionary questions about the patterns observed today in a given species’ morphology, behavior, and distribution. I also create analytical tools that allow people to identify different mites.

Identifying species is a fundamental step in developing biotechnological applications in the realms of healthcare, agriculture, and ecology. Species identification is also the first step in enhancing conservation biology strategies.

— Were your expectations about studying in UTMN and living in Siberia met?

— Yes, the city turned out to be much better than I imagined. The University is great, and so are the people.

— What about temperature?

— Oh, I struggled with it during the first week of my being here. Now it’s okay. I got used to it. I suppose I will even miss the cold, because winter is a very beautiful season in Siberia.

— What is your favorite place in Tyumen?

— I spend most of my time on the University campus because I have a lot of work. And it is my favorite place. I enjoy it. As for walking through the city, I like the Lovers’ Bridge and the Tura River Embankment.

— Do you find the campus comfortable?

— Yes, I do. The dormitory is conveniently located: it takes 5 minutes to walk to the X-BIO building. Besides, the dorms provide cleaning service. Other students and the international community are very friendly. I don’t have much time to participate in the extracurricular activities, but we often go out and have fun together.