Johanna Mappes
Riitta Johanna Mappes is a Finnish evolutionary ecologist. In her research, Mappes focuses on interspecific interactions, especially the evolution of warning signals and mimicry in chemically defended prey, as well as on the evolution of bacterial virulence and the evolution of sexual and asexual reproduction.
In 2003 The Academy of Finland awarded Mappes the 'Young Dynamic Researcher Award' for her research merits, especially for developing and using the ‘novel world method’ in studying the evolution of aposematism.
Mappes earned her MSc degree in 1991 and her PhD in 1994 from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Her doctoral thesis focused on reproductive tactics and maternal care in shield bugs, particularly the parent bug. Her other study species include the wood tiger moth, vipers, the Colorado potato beetle and the drumming wolf-spider.
Since 2008 Mappes has worked as a professor of evolutionary ecology at the University of Jyväskylä, and she is the head of the Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions Research appointed by the Academy of Finland for the years 2012-2017.
