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 year at UCLA, is fully established on campus, and is working on very exciting new projects.
Please contact Mónica if you are interested in joining the lab.
Recent News!
Medina Lab brings coral research and art to ICRS 2026
Medina Lab joined the international coral reef research community at ICRS 2026 in New Zealand, with lab members presenting work across several areas of our ongoing coral science.
Our participation also extended beyond traditional research presentations through the Coral Art & Science Consortium, where science, art, and communication converge to explore new ways to engage people with coral reefs and their conservation.
The meeting ended on an especially meaningful note, with one of our contributions receiving an award a recognition of the work, collaboration, and ideas our team brought to ICRS.
A paleogenomic and paleoclimatic approach to reconstruct historical responses of coral holobionts to anthropogenic change
Our approach combining sclerochronology, coraDNA and geochemistry was able to reconstruct historical symbiont shuffling and microbial shifts linked to local anthropogenic disturbances from a coral skeletal core. Read more here:
Featured in Science
A new perspective on the global coral reef crisis and the transformative role of art in conservation has been published in Science. Explore the ideas behind this work and discover how the Coral Art & Science Consortium is fostering a global community where creativity, science, and collaboration inspire collective action for the future of coral reefs.
Media Coverage
Vote bien, vote por los corales:
Muchas especies de corales forman relaciones beneficiosas con algas para sobrevivir, pero el cambio climático y la actividad humana están causando que estas relaciones se rompan y los corales se blanqueen. ¿Cómo sucede esto?¿Qué implicaría perder a los arrecifes de coral? ¿Qué tiene que ver todo esto con las decisiones políticas en el mundo?
New Podcast Episode: Jun 17, 2026
FROM WHERE DOES IT STEM
Corals, symbiosis, and scientific courage. Dr. Mónica Medina dives deep into what it means to study and protect life underwater. We talk about reef conservation, community, and leading with heart in science.
Episode was co-hosted with HHMI Gilliam Fellow Danny Olivares-Cordero, a researcher studying coral and coral reefs.
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.
Explore Past Articles, Media Features, And Community Updates
“Nature is magic. And to me, coral reefs, the most magical places on Earth. There came a point when studying them was no longer enough. Watching these extraordinary ecosystems disappear before my eyes awakened a deeper calling: to bring together a community united by the urgency of protecting them.”
Prof. Mónica Medina, Ph.D.
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.