Dr Herminia Garcia-Mozo is an Academic Editor for Hindawi’s Advances in Meteorology journal. She specializes in Aerobiology and Plant Phenology and has taken part in many research projects across Europe, as well as publishing book chapters and articles that have had a global impact.
What is your current area of research?
My current area of research is in Aerobiology, and Plant Phenology of anemophilous species that produce huge amounts of pollen, which are released into the atmosphere, causing allergies, but also allowing plant reproduction. Also, I am interested in the influence of climate and meteorology on the aerobiological behavior of this airborne pollen.
I did my PhD thesis at the University of Córdoba (Spain); the topic was Aerobiology of the Iberian forests. Afterwards, I did my postdoctoral stage in the CNRS of Montpellier (France) about phenological modeling on anemophilous species.
What attracted you to the position of Academic Editor for Advances in Meteorology, and Hindawi as a publisher?
It is great to be an Academic Editor for Hindawi’s Advances in Meteorology because it is run very effectively, with good organization and management. Being a part of the journal, amongst other things, allows me to continue to stay ahead in my field. Meteorology affects plant reproduction, especially pollen production and airborne pollen dispersion. It is also important because of the high impact of air conditions on daily life. Weather forecasting has a vital role nowadays for agriculture, transport, citizens, and so on. It is evident now more than ever that the many problems and effects of climate change have become so important and it is vital we remain at the forefront.
Which issue do you feel is most urgent in your field of work and do you have any predictions for the future?
Indoor aerobiology is the most urgent topic. Most of the aerobiological studies have been carried out in outdoor environments, therefore the atmospheric biological particles present in indoor environments must be studied more deeply. It is relevant for society right now because the conditions and environments people live and work in around the world could be made cleaner and safer. We need to understand the short and long-term impacts of these organisms on their health.
What important developments are happening in your field?
An important development in my field right now is the work on automatic recognition of pollen grains from the atmosphere. Visual recognition under optical microscopes wastes scientists’ time, as there are so many different types. An automated methodology would be a most helpful thing, so honing and advancing this technology is a must.
What advice would you give to a PhD researcher trying to write their first article?
First, read as much as you can, especially the bibliographies of papers in your field of research. Also, travel and do lots of networking, attend courses and congresses as part of your research stages. The more people you talk to, the more knowledge you will have in your chosen subject. This is invaluable.
Share an experience as an Editor for Advances in Meteorology
Throughout my studies and career, I have been very lucky to have access to all journals and papers through my universities. Open Access is definitely a positive for people without easy access to journals and papers from within their institutions. As I continue to work for the university, and as an Academic Editor for Advances in Meteorology, I have been able to consistently have access to these new works from authors all around the world.
Read the latest research published in Advances in Meteorology.
This blog post is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY). The illustration is by Hindawi and is also CC-BY.