Work done by Dr. Ramirez in the LMU Spider Lab constitutes scientific studies of selected biological phenomena in three areas: conservation genetics, reproductive biology, and environmental toxicology. With conservation genetics, we want to better understand the pattern, process and conservation significance of genetic variation in non-social spiders. With reproductive biology, we want to elucidate the factors (e.g., physiological, behavioral) which influence the mating frequency of female spiders. With environmental toxicology, we want to document the biomagnification of toxins (their tendency to concentrate as they move up food chains) and their impact on spiders.
Dr. Ramirez received her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1990 and earned her B.S. in Biology from Loyola Marymount University in 1981.