TEAM

Holds an MSc in Aquatic Environment Sciences (University of Porto, Portugal) and a MSc and PhD in Aquaculture from Wageningen University (The Netherlands). Luís co-founded SPAROS in 2008, and he coordinates R&D projects activities, the exploitation of their results. An expert in nutrition of early life stages of fish , he is also involved in projects of sustainable aquaculture practices, and mechanistic modelling of biological systems.

Jorge Dias is a Marine Biologist and holds a MSc in Food Technology (University of Bordeaux, France), a MSc in Marine Biology and Fisheries (University of Algarve, Portugal) and a PhD in Fish Nutrition from the University of Porto (Portugal). He co-founded SPAROS and he is responsible for managing the production line operation and coordinating some of the R&D projects. An expert in fish nutrition and nutritional modulation of fish quality, he formulates aquafeeds and defines product specifications and feeding practices.

Wilson is a Marine Biologist who holds a PhD in Aquaculture Nutrition from the University of Algarve (Portugal). He is an expert in marine fish larval nutrition. His current activities in Sparos involve the formulation of microdiets for marine fish larvae, management of the commercial product ZEBRAFEED, and monitoring of nutrition trials. He also participates in the planning and management of scientific projects.

PhD in Marine Sciences, researcher of CIIMAR, invited assistant professor at University of Porto and member of the coordination committee of Portuguese Polar Program. Her major research is on understanding how microbial derived nitrogen machineries interact and to identify the mechanisms regulating their operation. She focus her research on the impact of pollutants in marine N-biogeochemical pathways and in identifying the environmental constraints and controls on microbial Nitrogen pathways distribution including in extreme environments (Arctic/Antarctica). In the context of her research the methodologies she use are mainly biogeochemical measurements, microbiome sample processing and genomic and metagenomic work-flow analysis.

Maria Teresa Borges has a PhD in Biology and is Auxiliary Professor with Permanent Nomination at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto. She is also a Researcher at CIIMAR from its foundation. Research interests are mainly interdisciplinary and applied, with focus on Applied Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology. Main areas of intervention are: Bacterial and Microalgal Biofiltration processes, Microalgal biofilm photobioreactors (design and operation), Aquaculture environmental sustainability (Recirculation systems monitoring and improvement of water quality via microbial biofilters characterization and operation, and development of a new dissolved CO2 sensor) and Saline Wastewater Treatment and Valorization via Integrated Systems. She has vast experience in supervising students, managing research projects (e.g. RACEWAYS, AQUAPHOTOBIO, AQUAMONITOR, RASORGMAT) and disseminating science in different types of scientific and social media.

PhD in Marine Sciences, postdoc researcher at FCUP and CIIMAR. As a microbial ecologist, Miguel is interested in investigating the diversity and function of microbial communities across multiple environments and their roles in biogeochemical processes. He is especially interested in understanding the impacts of human activities and pollution on these microbial processes. In the last few years, his research has focused on investigating the impacts of animal waste and antibiotics on microbial communities involved in the nitrogen cycle. For his research, he applies molecular, bioinformatic, and biogeochemical methodologies to connect the dots between microbial community composition and biological activity.

Paulo Martins da Costa, Assistant Professor at ICBAS of University of Porto and researcher at CIIMAR, is graduated in veterinary medicine (FMV/UTL) and holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS/UP). His main research interests focus on the transfer of multidrug-resistant bacteria between intermingled ecological niches (humans, animals and environment) and on the antibacterial screening of extracts and pure compounds obtained from diverse origins. He has relevant expertise in clinical and food microbiology and has been involved in several research projects focused on food safety and on the discovery of new antibiotics.

António Afonso is a teacher in Marine Sciences area, covering several topics such as Vertebrate Biology, Ichthyology, Aquaculture and Fish Immunology. He is also a Member of the Scientific Committee of the Degree in Aquatic Sciences, of the Master in Marine Sciences – Marine Resources and, regent of several subjects. His integration of FEEDMI project is done through the Department of Aquatic Production at ICBAS and through the knowledge and participation in aquaculture production. António Afonso has been studied effects that common aquaculture practices have on the fish’s innate immune system, through basic and applied research. Besides that, he has been developing innovation projects in aquaculture field, in partnership with companies dedicated to this activity, where greatest attention has been given to aquaculture in estuarine and coastal environments.

Eliane Silva is a Superior Technician at ICBAS-University of Porto and a researcher at Rede de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva. Graduated in Biochemistry (FCUP-University of Porto) and holds a PhD in Veterinary Sciences (ICBAS-UP) in the field of Virology (positive single-stranded RNA viruses). Her main research interests focus on the origin, evolutionary history, diversity and virus-host interactions involving wild/domestic animals and humans. She has been involved in research projects focused in rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and currently is working in research projects in the field of human occult hepatitis C virus infection.

Ana Paula Mucha has a research position at CIIMAR, University of Porto, Portugal, being member of the Board of Directors and the Principal Investigator of the EcoBioTec Group (Bioremediation and Ecosystems Functioning). Also, She is an Invited Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology of Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto. She focus her research on the development of biotechnologic tools for ecosystems recover, based on the ability of autochthonous microorganisms and plants to remove contaminants, through bioremediation and phytoremediation processes. She has relevant expertise in microbiology, microbial ecology and interaction of microorganisms with contaminants. She authored ca. 65 SCI papers including high profile journals such as Bioresource Technology or Environmental Science and Technology. She was the Scientific Coordinator of the CMIA (Environmental Monitoring and Interpretation Centre) of Vila do Conde (2012-2018) and regularly gives talks to the general public and school students in the frame of outreach programs and projects. Moreover, she has been involved ca. 20 national and international projects, being the coordinator of the ongoing project “BIOREM – Bioremediation of hydrocarbon pollutants by autochthonous microorganisms in aquatic environment” funded by FCT.

Benjamín Costas graduated in Marine Biology by the University of Santiago de Compostela in 2003, acquired the European Masters in Aquaculture and Fisheries by the University of Algarve in 2006, and in 2011 completed a PhD degree in Animal Science by the University of Porto. Benjamín Costas is currently an Auxiliary Researcher at CIIMAR in the framework of the FCT Investigator programme. Dr. Costas is actually participating in several national and international projects, carries out contracts with the industry, and coordinates a young team of strongly motivated researchers in the field of nutritional immunology as main research line.

Diana Almeida is a graduate in Biochemistry (FCT-UNL) and holds an MSc in Marine Sciences – Marine Resources (ICBAS-UP). In 2017 she enrolled in the Doctoral Program in Animal Sciences for Sustainable Animal Nutrition and Feeding (SANFEED), her focus is the modulation of the biofilm microbial community to optimize water quality in a marine recirculating aquaculture system.

Carla Teixeira holds a master’s degree in veterinary medicine. In 2018 she started her PhD at CIIMAR entitled “Gut health improvement in fish and shrimp through fortified diets: focus on inflammatory condition, immune status and microbiota diversity”. This is a PhD in an industrial (SPAROS) setting which aims to understand diet-gut interactions and intestinal homeostasis to maximize performance; to develop a standardized dysbiosis model to provide a better understanding of the influence of fortified diets on the restoration of gut integrity, microbiota diversity, immune mechanisms and disease resistance; and to develop fortified commercial diets that improve growth and disease resistance.

Claudia R. Serra, Auxiliary Researcher at CIIMAR, holds a PhD in Biology from ITQB-NOVA (UNL), where she applied microbial genetics and molecular biology tools in the functional analysis of bacterial genomes, identifying and characterizing important genes of gastrointestinal isolates with biotechnological potential. At CIIMAR she is dedicated to the characterization of gastrointestinal microbial communities of economically important fish species and to the development of novel probiotics and novel vaccines for aquaculture.

Pedro Pousão-Ferreira is a biologist, senior researcher and expertise in aquaculture in IPMA. He is responsible for the Aquaculture Research Station in Olhão. He has more than 35 years experience on the reproduction (hatchery), larval rearing, nutrition, ongrowing and production of bass, sole, meagre, grouper and 6 species of breams on in-shore (earth ponds) and on offshore (cages). He has participated in 46 national and international research projects. Member of Scientific Review Panel of Agência Nacional de Inovação (ANI) and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). Member of External Scientific Review Panel (ESRP) of AKDN (Aga Khan foundation). He has 145 papers in international scientific periodicals with referees, 27 peerreviewed short papers, 347 communication/posters in scientific meetings and workshops, a Manual and 4 book chapters. Is also Professor of Aquaculture at the University of Porto) ICBAS) and was Professor of marine larviculture and aquaculture at the University of Algarve (2011-2013). Presently is also President of the Scientific Council of IPMA.