Rocio Melissa Rivera , PhD

I am originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. I did my first two years of undergraduate studies in the Department of Animal Science at University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez . I then transferred to  Iowa State Universitywhere I completed B.S. degrees in Animal Science and Dairy Science.  I did two years of undergraduate research in the laboratory of the late Dr. Stephen Ford where I also completed my M.S.  I did the Ph.D. at the University of Florida under the mentorship of Dr. Pete Hansen and then went to the University of Pennsylvania to pursue postdoctoral training in the laboratories of Dr. Richard Schultz and Marisa Bartolomei.
In my spare time, I  enjoy playing the viola at the local community symphony, love to cook, dance, walk/hike, and more recently started playing pickleball.  I have two Chihuahuas, Cosita (4lbs 7 oz) and Icheb (7 lbs, 4 oz).  Cosita is a certified therapy dog and we volunteer with the WAGS program at the MU Hospital and belong to the MU Vet School  PALS club.

Research

• Research Lab Website Rivera Lab

Areas of expertise

• Epigenetics
• Livestock Genetics
• Reproductive Biology

Research Summary

Assisted reproduction in humans and animals has been linked to inappropriate control of the epigenome in gametes and preimplantation embryos that results in adverse consequences during fetal and postnatal development. Commonly used assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures include: ovarian hyperstimulation (superovulation), in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo culture, and embryo transfer. The research conducted in my laboratory aims at understanding the mechanisms whereby manipulations of mammalian gametes and embryos result in alterations of the epigenome.