Karyna Rosario
Dr. Karyna Rosario is a research associate at the Marine Genomics Laboratory led by Dr. Mya Breitbart at the University of South Florida. Throughout her career Dr. Rosario has employed metagenomic approaches to describe viral diversity in different environments and organisms. Notable work includes:
- The first comprehensive survey of DNA and RNA viruses circulating in indoor air
- Incorporation of viral metagenomics into virus surveillance efforts (both clinical and water quality control programs) to enhance traditional virus detection methods.
- Identification of a novel bioindicator (Pepper mild mottle virus) that may improve health risk assessments associated with viral pathogens in different environments impacted by wastewater contamination.
- Discovery of circular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses in marine and terrestrial invertebrates.
- Use of top insect predators to investigate the diversity of ssDNA viruses circulating in insect populations.
- Use of insect vectors to expand the known diversity and biogeographical range of plant viral pathogens.
Dr. Rosario’s current research focuses on investigating viruses found in aquatic vegetation, including seagrasses and vegetation found within Florida’s freshwater springs. She also collaborates with researchers investigating parasite-associated viruses, as part of the Parasite Microbiome Project initiative, and viruses in alternative freshwater supplies. Check out all of her papers. In addition to her own research, Dr. Rosario oversees undergraduate and graduate student projects in the lab and enjoys participating in outreach activities to teach the general public and K-12 students about environmental microbiology.
Contact Karyna: krosari2@mail.usf.edu