Mariana Almeida obtained her BSc in Biochemistry from Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto in 2019 and her MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto in 2021. Mariana is currently a PhD student of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto specializing in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry and she is working on the synthesis of siderophore-antibacterial adjuvant conjugates as well as in the evaluation of their antibacterial activities.

Mariana Cruz is an Environmental Engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Technologies from the University of Minho. She worked as an Environmental Technician in the Porto Metropolitan Area, but is currently licensed to pursue her Ph.D. at the University of Porto, funded by FCT. Her research project involves building a numerical hydrodynamic model to simulate the implementation of nature-based solutions aimed at improving water quality in the Douro River estuary. Other areas of interest include renewable energies, climate change, and its effects on water resources.

Mariana Girão is a PhD student, currently enrolled in the Biomedical Sciences doctoral program at the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto. Mariana’s research focus on bioprospecting the diversity and secondary metabolism of marine-sourced Actinobacteria to uncover novel natural products with pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Mariana holds a BSc in Aquatic Sciences (2016, ICBAS-UP) and a MSc in Cell and Molecular Biology (2018, FCUP).

Mariana Hinzmann is a post-doc researcher at CIIMAR, studying the immunity of aquaculture species. She graduated in Biology from U. Aveiro in 2002 and in 2005 master’s in Advanced Biomolecular Methods. Her research began with microalgae, focusing on toxic species involved in bivalve bioaccumulation processes. In 2016, she obtained her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from U. Porto (bivalve immunology). Since then, she has been working with marine fish and shellfish species, linking algae-based diets and other stressors to immunity and overall health of the animals. She is passionate about science communications and has given lessons and presented outreach materials.

Mariana Moutinho has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology (2019) and a Master’s degree in Applications in Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology (2021) from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP). Recently, she joined the CNP team under the BlueBio4Future project, as Research Technician in Biomass/Bioprocess, with the main goal of helping streamline and optimize the culturing and biomass harvesting process, including optimization of the bioprocess to increase productivity or yields of specific metabolites with biotechnological interest originating from cyanobacteria/microalgae.

Mariana Oliveira holds a BSc in Biology from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (University of Lisbon) and a MSc in Human Biology and Environment from the Faculty of Sciences (University of Lisbon). She started working at CIIMAR-UP in 2019 to work on the isolation and identification of toxin-producing fungi. In 2021, Mariana was awarded a PhD FCT grant through the BYT program. She currently is a PhD student in Aquatic Sciences – Biology and Ecology (School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto). In the project Mariana is developing, she aims to isolate novel natural bioactive compounds produced by Actinobacteria associated with marine sponges.

I have a degree in Marine Biology and Fisheries and a PhD in Biology. I have extensive experience in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolomics applied to animal science, particularly in assessing the physiological and metabolic effects of alternative ingredients in animal feed, with the aim of increasing the sustainability of the production. I currently work as project manager for INNOECOFOOD, a project that aims to establish innovative production ECOHUBS and improve aquaculture farms.

Mariana Reis (PhD in Pharmacy – University of Lisbon, 2015) is a researcher at CIIMAR who is interested in the natural products chemistry of microalgae and cyanobacteria. These organisms produce a diverse array of organic chemicals that are just waiting for a novel biotechnological application. With her extensive experience in natural compounds isolation, structural elucidation, and molecular derivatization, she is involved in several projects whose goal is to provide microalgae and cyanobacteria-driven solutions to human health and environmental problems. She is also very engaged in scientific dissemination actions and training the next generation of scientists, through lectures and supervision of PhD, masters and undergraduate students.

Mariana Reimão holds a BSc in Environmental Health and a MSc in Hygiene and Safety at Organizations at the School of Health – Polytechnic Institute of Porto. She is currently a Ph.D. student in Environmental Sciences and Technology at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. Her research interests regard the exploitation of cyanobacterial pigments for the sustainable dyeing of textile fabrics.

Mariana Trigo has a degree in Biology and is currently enrolled in the Master’s program in Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology (Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto). Her dissertation will focus on the genomic and phenotypic characterization of a recently isolated and virulent strain of Vibrio harveyi , to select biocontrol targets.

Mariana Vaz is graduated in Marine Biology and Biotechnology (2019), and Master in Aquaculture (2022), by the Escola Superior de Turismo e Tecnologia do Mar, Polytechnic of Leiria. She was a research fellow (MARE – Polytechnic of Leiria) in the BE4AQUAHEALTH project: national screening of aquaculture fish pathologies: a commitment to prevention, and research fellow (MARE – Polytechnic of Leiria) of the LUCTA project – Evaluation of the effect of extracts in sea bass infected with nodavirus. She is currently a PhD fellowship at CIIMAR in the GRINNAQUA project ” Green innovation strategies for animal health management: towards sustainable aquaculture”, where she studies the role of methionine in the immune defences of fish (Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout) against viral (viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus) and parasitic infections (sea lice).

Mariane Bittencourt Fagundes is graduated in Food Technology by Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM-Brazil), also holds a master and doctorate in Food Science and technology from the same university (UFSM-Brazil). Her main skills are associated with microalgae process optimization, from analytical method development to different cultivation modes for primary and secondary metabolites production.

I am an Assistant Researcher at CIIMAR-UP, where I study the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems, considering natural, anthropogenic and climate change. My primary focus has been on benthic communities, including plants, invertebrates and fish, to understand the implications of altered diversity on ecosystem functioning. I am particularly interested in using this knowledge to contribute to decision-support frameworks for environmental management.
Currently, my research is directed towards exploring the importance of habitat-forming species as Nature-Based Solutions in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Additionally, I am actively involved in Ocean Literacy initiatives.

Graduated in Marine Biology holds a PhD degree in Animal Sciences granted by ICBAS-University of Porto, she is currently and auxiliary researcher in A2S team. Her main research line is dedicated to the development of nutritional strategies that could enhance fish overall health and vaccination efficiency. Her most recent research has been focus on the study of the multi-action mechanisms of viperin, an antiviral protein and the role of methionine in fish inflammation and antiviral response.

Marine is a French PhD student focusing on the discovery of new bioactive compounds from marine cyanobacteria in the Leão Lab of CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal) and in the Gerwick Lab of Scripps Institution of Oceanography (University of California San Diego, USA). She holds a BSc and a MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Poitiers, France) as well as a double MSc degree in Marine Biotechnology (University of La Rochelle, France). Before starting her PhD, she worked as a research assistant at CIIMAR and did internships at IFREMER (French National Institute for Ocean Science, France), and HEMARINA (marine biopharmaceutical company, France).

Graduated in Environmental Sciences and Technology at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto and I’m currently a student of the Master’s Degree in Marine Sciences – Marine Resources, more specifically in the Marine Biology and Ecology specialization at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto.  I was included in the Research Team of Ecotoxicology, Stress Ecology and Environmental Health of CIIMAR, my research focusing on the contamination of mussels (Mytillus galloprovincialis) from the NW Portuguese coast by plastics and microplastics and its biological effects.

Mário Mil-Homens is currently a researcher of the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere – Division of Environmental Oceanography since 2014. He finished is PhD in Geology in Goteborg University (2006). He concluded is MSc in Geochemistry in University of Aveiro (1997).
His research activity is focused on biogeochemistry, in particularly on the: 1) temporal reconstruction of trace metal inputs in marine and estuarine environments, 2) definition of elemental backgrounds, 3) development of methodologies (e.g., use of Pb and Hg isotopes as tracers sources of contamination and characterization of environmental processes that affect their distributions) for evaluating the impact of contamination in sediments. 

Marisa Almeida is a senior researcher at CIIMAR with ca. 140 international publications. With a PhD in Chemistry (obtained in 2003) her main research area is phytoremediation, participating actively in studies that aim to potentiate the use of these biotechnological tools as nature-based solutions to improve and recover aquatic environments contaminated with different pollutants. Her expertise is on environmental chemistry applied to coastal and estuarine environments and on phytoremediation of contaminants in natural and constructed wetlands for environmental recovery. She also actively participates in dissemination and communication activities in the frame of CIIMAR outreach projects on water and ocean literacy.

Marisa has been a Bachelor’s degree holder in Biochemistry since 2010 and obtained a Master’s degree in Applied Biochemistry in 2016 from the University of Madeira. Her research lies in the use of microbial-derived exopolymers for the development of advanced biomaterials with potential applications in various fields. She is a doctoral fellow of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) at the Laboratory of Biotechnology, Bioanalysis, and Biomaterials at the University of Madeira and CIIMAR.

Marisa Freitas has a degree in Environmental Health from the School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto (2007). She also holds a master’s degree in Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (2009) and a PhD in Environmental Sciences and Technology (2014) from the University of Porto. At present, she is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Health at the Polytechnic of Porto and a Researcher at BBE/CIIMAR. Her research interests are focused on exploring the feasibility of applying cyanobacteria as a renewable bioresource for various industrial purposes, to promote sustainability and reduce the existent negative impacts on the environment and human health.

I have a degree in Biology and a M.Sc. degree in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution, by the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. During my MSc I addressed connectivity as a core strategy for biodiversity conservation in arid regions. For the following three years I worked at CIIMAR in science communication in projects related with the use of ponds as a nature-based solution for ecosystem services delivery, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Simultaneously, I worked in environmental education about the importance of aquatic ecosystems and its species. Currently, I am developing my PhD project, which aims to integrate the landscape changes analysis and amphibian community characterisation of Mindelo Ornithological Reserve (Vila do Conde), with the development of citizen engagement activities through science communication to ensure science-based measures for amphibian conservation. My main research interests are biogeography, ecology and science communication and my main goal is to contribute directly to biodiversity conservation, sustainability and a more informed society.

Marlene Pinheiro graduated, in 2015, in Forensic Laboratory Sciences from the University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS-CESPU). In 2018 Marlene obtained a Master’s degree in Environmental Contamination and Toxicology from the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS) and the Faculty of Sciences (FCUP) of the University of Porto and in 2024 Marlene completed her PhD in Biology from FCUP. Currently, Marlene is a research fellow at CIIMAR focusing on assessing the effects of deep-sea mining related stressors, mainly sediment and ore plumes, and evaluating the combined exposure to rare earth elements and marine heat wave conditions in invertebrates.

Marta Chantal Ribeiro is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Porto. She holds a Master degree in European Integration and a PhD in the field of the Law of the Sea. Currently, her research is focused on conservation of marine biodiversity (in particular MPAs), sustainable fisheries, deep-sea mining, marine spatial planning and marine robotics. In 2011, Marta was awarded with the 2010 Gerard J. Mangone Prize.

Marta Correia is a Marine Biologist with a MSc in Aquatic Biological Resources. Her main interests are mainly focused on science communication and outreach, especially related to Ocean Literacy projects. Creator of experimental materials / activities / protocols in the areas of marine and environmental sciences. She has experience in executing and evaluating science communication programs especially related to environmental education and marine education activities. Organizer and coordinator of several training actions for Teachers in Experimental Teaching of Marine Sciences. Lecturer in several workshops related to Ocean Literacy and experimental science teaching. She contributed to several projects including “CIIMAR na Escola”, “OceanLab”, “SeaChange” “MALIA” and “NetTag”, especially related to the school community and aiming to increase scientific Literacy and in particular Ocean Literacy, promoting experimental teaching, Ocean conservancy and the curiosity for marine and environmental sciences.

Ph.D in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, M.Sc. in Quality Control of Plant and Drug Substances, and B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Porto (FFUP).
Assistant Professor of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry at FFUP and Integrated Research Member of CIIMAR since 2014. Mentor of the Young Ambassadors of the European Marine Board. Member of the Editorial Board of the Marine Drugs.
Research focuses on sustainable synthesis of marine-inspired non-toxic antifouling agents to overcome environmental problems associated with biocides and difficulties in large production of marine natural products:
-funding as Principal Investigator with CIIMAR as proponent: PTDC/CTA-AMB/0853/2021 (€ 244.397,50) and PTDC/AAG-TEC/0739/2014 (€ 161.852,00);
-international patent applications published as Responsible Inventor: WO/2023/053059 (06/04/2023), United States patent US2021395264 AA (23/12/2021), European patent EP3897150 A1 (27/10/2021), Chinese patent CN113226035 A (06/08/2021), WO20128674 A1 (25/06/2020) and as co-Inventor: PCT/IB2022/062027 (11/12/2022);
-innovation awards: BIPacceleration 2022, BIPproof 2022, UITransfer 2023.

Marta Dias is graduated in Biology – specialty of Marine Biology and Aquaculture and obtained the PhD degree in 2020 by the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. She is currently a post-doctoral researcher at CIIMAR. Her main research interests are diverse, including food webs, temperate and tropical marine ecology, global climate change effects, physiological stress and sustainable aquaculture. She authored 30 scientific publications in international journals.