Grantee Spotlight
Questions and answers with Silvia Carboni
Do microbes matter for making babies? Emerging research suggests that the hidden world of microorganisms may play a crucial role in animal reproduction.
We spoke with Silvia Carboni, an evolutionary biologist and PhD candidate at the University of Calgary’s Melin Lab. Silvia’s research investigates how microbes might influence sexual maturity and breeding status across primate species, potentially revealing evolutionary processes that shaped host-microbe interactions in humans and our primate relatives.
Her Leakey Foundation-supported work examines the relationship between microbial communities and reproductive success in Peruvian tamarins.
Why are you interested in studying microorganisms, and how will you do it?
Scientists have long believed that the microorganisms living in animals’ reproductive systems play a key role in their health and ability to reproduce. However, we still know very little about how these microbes influence reproduction, especially in wild animals.
My project focuses on the microorganisms found in the reproductive tracts of wild tamarin monkeys. The goal is to compare the microbial communities found in the vaginas of two species of female tamarins at different stages of life and reproduction. Specifically, I will compare the microbes of sexually mature adult females to those of juvenile females who are not yet mature, and the communities of adult females who are actively reproducing versus those who have never had offspring.
The methods I will use will not only help identify the species of microbes in the population but will also predict their possible functions. By gathering this data, my project will contribute to our understanding of the intricate relationships between animals and their microbiomes, elucidating how these relationships may influence important biological processes such as reproduction.
The results of this study will offer valuable insights into the vaginal microbiomes of tamarins—monkeys that have not been extensively studied in this context. This research will also pave the way for future studies on how microbes affect reproduction in different species of primates, including humans.
How did you first become interested in studying evolutionary biology?
I have always known that studying animals would be my future. As a child, I was fascinated by the natural world and its mysteries, and I used to spend hours observing ponds full of tadpoles and watching nests of birds in the countryside where I grew up. One of my favorite Sunday activities was visiting the Museum of Natural Sciences, where kids were introduced to stories of fossils, human origins, and animals and their habitats through educational games and expert-guided tours. I have always pursued my studies in scientific disciplines, driven by the desire to ask questions and find answers.
When it came time to choose a university, Biological Sciences was the clear choice for me. I was captivated by the opportunity to study various aspects of life, explore the interactions between organisms, and understand how humans fit into this context. I chose to specialize in evolutionary biology for this very reason, as I believe evolution is the key to understanding the world. My interest then grew in reproduction and its mechanisms, as I believe that reproduction is where life begins and is the foundation of biological fitness, driving success and, ultimately, speciation. The opportunity to pursue a PhD on the reproduction of primates allows me to explore the similarities and differences with humans, fulfilling my interest in the natural wonders of life.
Unraveling the evolutionary threads that connect us to the natural world is essential not only for appreciating our place in it but also for ensuring that future generations thrive in an increasingly interconnected ecosystem.
What questions do you hope to answer with your research?
The primary question I want to answer with my research is how microorganisms interact with their hosts, particularly in the context of reproduction, and to understand the underlying mechanisms that make these microbes fundamental for life and reproductive success. As we do more research in this area, it is increasingly clear that interactions with microbes must be part of the study of biological processes. The complexity of this field raises many questions, and I am eager to contribute to answering them.
I am particularly interested in exploring why some females seem to have greater reproductive fitness than others. By studying the microbial communities in the reproductive tracts of wild tamarin monkeys, I hope to uncover the hidden factors that influence differences in reproductive success. Specifically, I want to investigate how variations in the microbial composition at different stages of life and reproduction might contribute to a female’s ability to reproduce successfully. I believe this approach will greatly inform clinical studies on humans by offering an evolutionary perspective on how our species may have developed certain reproductive adaptations, particularly in comparison to other members of the primate lineage.
Understanding these interactions could reveal how microbes play a critical role in fertility, immune response, and overall reproductive health. By answering these questions, I aim to shed light on the complex relationships between animals and their microbiomes, offering insights into the factors that drive reproductive fitness and ultimately shape evolutionary outcomes.
How did you feel about receiving your Leakey Foundation grant?
I was absolutely thrilled to receive a Leakey Foundation grant. I felt excited about the opportunity to pursue my research questions and, most of all, proud of my work. It is incredibly rewarding to have my research recognized by such a prestigious organization, whose reviewers are among the most expert scientists in the field. Their feedback will not only help refine my research but also provide valuable guidance in shaping my questions and areas of interest. This grant affirms the significance of my study on the microbiomes of wild tamarin monkeys and validates my passion for exploring the intricate connections between reproduction and evolution.
What impact will this grant have on your life and work?
This grant will greatly impact my life, supporting my aspiration to pursue an academic career. It will provide the necessary financial support for the fieldwork and laboratory analyses required for my PhD project, contributing to my academic career as a researcher. With these resources, I can pursue the necessary methods and analyses to answer research questions with more robust, meaningful data. This opportunity will allow me to improve my research and expand my professional network by connecting with experts in the field. This will ultimately support my long-term academic and professional development. This Leakey Foundation grant is an important addition to my academic CV, as it highlights the quality of my ideas and projects.
Ultimately, receiving this grant will enable me to make meaningful contributions to our understanding of reproduction and microbiomes, leaving a lasting impact on the scientific community and my future career.
Why is research like yours so important?
Research like mine is crucial because it seeks to unravel the complex relationship between the reproductive microbiome and evolutionary processes. By studying the vaginal microbiome of wild primates, we can learn how microbial communities influence reproductive outcomes. This is a key aspect of evolutionary biology.
Also, the wild environment is free from the influences of human society. This offers a unique lens to uncover mechanisms that contemporary settings might obscure. Accumulating data on a wide range of primate species is vital for addressing comparative questions about biological adaptations and evolution. This will also help answer questions on how our reproductive systems evolved over time.
Why does the study of human evolution matter today?
Human evolution can help us understand our origins, the traits that define us, and how natural selection shapes these traits. Better understanding the adaptive composition of genital microbiomes in different species can shed light on the evolutionary mechanisms that shaped human reproduction. Research on mechanisms driving reproductive success has direct implications for modern medicine. What we learn can inform practices related to reproductive health, fertility, and disease prevention. This research also helps us explore what makes us human, and how we fit into the broader world, coexisting with countless other organisms.
Comparing human and non-human primate microbiomes also enhances our understanding of the shared and unique aspects of reproductive evolution. Unraveling the evolutionary threads that connect us to the natural world is essential not only for appreciating our place in it but also for ensuring that future generations thrive in an increasingly interconnected ecosystem.
