Welcome to the Medina Lab
About Us
After many years at The Pennsylvania State University, the Medina Lab began an exciting new chapter at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Fall 2025. We study the ecology and evolution of host–microbe interactions, with a focus on cnidarian systems, using approaches that span genomics, developmental and cell biology, and organismal physiology. The lab has now completed its first semester at UCLA and is fully established on campus.
Please contact Mónica if you are interested in joining the lab.
Recent News!
Two Weeks Teaching Ancient DNA Genomics at HKU’s Integrative Marine Ecology Master’s
Just finished guest teaching a 2-week module in evolutionary and ancient DNA genomics for Hong Kong U’s masters program on Integrative Marine Ecology & Conservation. Great students! Great fun! Great location!
Can Biotechnology Save Biodiversity? Inside UCLA’s Conservation Breakthroughs
True to the spirit of the Public Lecture Series, the evening fostered open dialogue between scientists and the public. Moderated by Brad Shaffer, the panel featured Ben Novak and Monica Medina, who shared diverse perspectives on today’s conservation challenges while engaging directly with the audience.
Support Amazonian and Caribbean Indigenous Communities Through Music and Nature
Help Us Make a Difference!
We are excited to share the premiere of our music video for “La Extinción” by Pernett, featuring the incredible stories and daily lives of the Waorani, Nasa, and Kogui communities from the Colombian Sierra Nevada and the Ecuadorian and Colombian Amazon regions. These communities have graciously opened their hearts and homes to us by sharing their vital connection to nature and their efforts to protect it.
COP16
COP16 in Cali, Colombia: Advancing Global Biodiversity Conservation
Mónica at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, an event focused on the state of global biodiversity where she shared her research but also hosted some outreach events, such as a special screening of the documentary Saving Atlantis, which underscores the urgent need to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Another event brought together artists, scientists and indigenous leaders fostering creativity and collaboration for greater environmental awareness and action.
Eco-Evo-Devo Drivers of Microbial Assemblage Dynamics in Tropical Marine Holobionts
Mónica talked at the Applied Hologenomics Conference 2024 in Copenhagen.
Beneficial Microbes Meeting
Mónica gave the keynote a Beneficial Microbes in Madison, WI 2024.
The Varadero Reef
The Varadero Reef is one of the most beautiful and enigmatic reefs we know about. Located in Cartagena Bay in Colombia and has been exposed to a myriad of sediments and contaminants due to its proximity to the Magdalena River estuary.
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” Part of my research deals with the use of genomic approaches to study life history of corals and how they are coping with climate change. My lab also studies the evolution of biomineralization in animals as an theoretical model to understand the challenges with character homology over large evolutionary scales.”