Organizational and Scientific Structure of ARNET

Foto © Pedro Farto

Organizational Structure

Scientific Council

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External Advisory Board

Coordination Council

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Board of Directors

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Organizational Structure

External Advisory Board

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Scientific Council

Board of Directors

Coordination Council

9 Research Facilities

MARE-UCoimbra

MARE-ULisboa

MARE-ISPA

MARE-UÉvora

MARE-IPLeiria

MARE-NOVA

MARE-Arditi (madeira)

CBMA

CIMA

Scientific Structure

ARNET Thematic Lines

Novel Approaches in Aquatic Exploration and Monitoring

Environmental Sustainability under Global Change

Assessment and Management of Environmental Risks

Biotech-& Nature Based Solutions for Blue Economy

Governance, Citizen Science and Ocean Literacy

Pedro R. Almeida
Coordinator

Pedro Raposo de Almeida

Pedro R. Almeida
Vice-Coordinator

Cláudia Pascoal

Pedro R. Almeida
Vice-Coordinator

Sara Raposo

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

Fernanda Cássio

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

Maria Bebianno

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

Graça Martinho

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

Helena Adão

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

Jaime Ramos

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

Joana Robalo

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

João Canning-Clode

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

Maria Manuel Gil

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

Ricardo Melo

Pedro R. Almeida
Vocal

Zara Teixeira

Pedro R. Almeida

Pedro Raposo de Almeida

Pedro R. Almeida

Cláudia Pascoal

Pedro R. Almeida

Sara Raposo

Pedro R. Almeida

Fernanda Cássio

Pedro R. Almeida

Maria Bebianno

Pedro R. Almeida

Graça Martinho

Pedro R. Almeida

Helena Adão

Pedro R. Almeida

Jaime Ramos

Pedro R. Almeida

Joana Robalo

Pedro R. Almeida

João Canning-Clode

Pedro R. Almeida

Maria Manuel Gil

Pedro R. Almeida

Ricardo Melo

Pedro R. Almeida

Zara Teixeira

Pedro R. Almeida

Luís Coelho

Pedro R. Almeida

Manuel dos Santos

Pedro R. Almeida

Maria Jorge Campos

Pedro R. Almeida

Flávio Martins

Pedro R. Almeida

Ronaldo Sousa

Pedro R. Almeida

Paula Sobral

Pedro R. Almeida

Sara Novais

Pedro R. Almeida

Lia Vasconcelos
Support to coordination

Pedro Raposo de Almeida

Full professor at the University of Évora and the Director of MARE. Head of the Scientific Research Board of the Mora Freshwater Aquarium. Nominated as expert on fish distribution by the European Environment Agency (EEA), EIONET and National Reference Centre for Nature and Biodiversity (ICNB).
Expertise in biology and conservation of fishes, with focus in aquatic biotelemetry, management of commercial fisheries, fish population dynamics and ecological monitoring.
Support to coordination

Cláudia Pascoal

Associate Professor at University of Minho, Director of CBMA (Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology) and Deputy Director of IB-S (Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability).
Expertise in impacts of global change on biodiversity and ecosystem processes in freshwaters with focus on organic matter turnover; disentangling effects of multiple stressors; Adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change; Impacts of emerging contaminants to freshwaters at the community-, population- and cellular-level, with focus on aquatic fungi and invertebrates; Molecular tools to assess microbial diversity.
Vice-Coordinator

Sara Raposo

Assistant Professor at the University of Algarve and is the Director of the Center for Research Marine and Environmental (CIMA). She also coordinates the Engineering and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory. Her research field is in Biotechnology and Blue Energy, in microalgae biorefinery, with the valorisation of biological resources and production technologies, using sustainable bioprocesses in a circular economy and the development of bioprocessing systems for wastewater treatment to reduce resource demand and generation of effluents, waste and emissions.
Support to coordination

Fernanda Cássio

Full Professor at the University of Minho, researcher at CBMA. Expertise in biodiversity and freshwater ecosystem functioning; Aquatic pollution from eutrophication, metals, PAHs nanoparticles and microplastics; Eco-physiology of aquatic fungi; Metals and nanoparticles/microbe interactions; Molecular tools to assess microbial diversity and function in freshwater.
Support to coordination

Maria Bebianno

Full professor at University of Algarve and researcher at CIMA. Member of the Group of Experts of the Regular Process for the Evaluation of the State of the Marine Environment including the Socio-Economic Aspects of UN. She was Chairwoman of the General Assembly of the Portuguese Association of Women Scientists-AMONET and Portuguese alternate in the European Platform of Women in Science (EPWS).
Expertise in management and risks of marine contamination, with research focused on management and risks of “old” and emerging contaminants (personnel care products, pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials, micro- and nanoplastics).
Graça Martinho

Vocal

Full Professor at NOVA FCT and MARE researcher. Expert in the fields of planning and policy instruments for waste management, waste collection systems, material recycling, waste management models for the circular economy, and social psychology applied to behaviors towards waste. Graça's extensive professional experience includes serving as President of NOVA.ID - Association for Innovation and Development of FCT NOVA (2014-2018), coordinator of the Scientific Committee of the Portuguese Plastics Pact (2020-2021), member of the Advisory Board of the Water and Waste Services Regulatory Authority (ERSAR, 2006-2011), co-coordinator of the National Waste Management Plan (PNGR 2030) and the Strategic Plan for Urban Waste (PERSU 2030).
Helena Adão

Vocal

Associate Professor at the University of Évora and researcher at MARE. Expertise in meiofauna ecology, focusing on nematode assemblages of estuarine and deep-sea sediments to study ecosystem processes. Research activities are currently focused on the development of innovative tools to assess habitat responses to Blue Economy activities and to assess Good Environmental Status (GES). Studies have been developed on the ecological processes of benthic assemblages, in particular the nematode assemblages and bacterial communities associated with intertidal seagrass meadows, subtidal estuarine sediments and deep-sea sediments.
Jaime Ramos

Vocal

Professor at the Universidade de Coimbra and MARE researcher. He leads the "EcoTop - Ecology and Conservation of Top Predators" Lab, where Conservation Physiology, Habitat Selection, Trophic Ecology, Stable isotopes and Biologging are used to study the ecology and conservation of top predators. He has published 260 scientific papers, supervised 30 PhD students, 81 Masters students and 7 pos-doc researchers.
Joana Robalo

Vocal

Associate Professor at ISPA - University Institute of Psychological, Social, and Life Sciences and researcher at MARE. Her research focuses on themes related to phylogeny and phylogeography of aquatic organisms, applying molecular biology techniques to solve problems in conservation and management of species. She has participated in more than a hundred national and international scientific meetings and published 90 scientific articles, as well as contributions in books. She has been directly involved in 22 research projects, being the principal investigator and/or responsible at ISPA in about half of them.
Support to coordination

João Canning-Clode

Principal Investigator at the Regional Agency for the Development of Research Technology and Innovation – ARDITI, Coordinator of the Madeira
Regional Research Unit of MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE-ARDITI), Research Associate at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, USA, Principal Scientist and Scientific Coordinator of the Smithsonian MarineGEO NE Atlantic Madeira site.
Expertise in anthropogenic pressures (including marine litter, contaminants, coastal development, invasive species) in marine ecosystems and vast experience in MSFD implementation policies and environmental risk assessments.
Maria Manuel Gil

Vocal

MARE researcher. CTO for Ocean at Colab +Atlantic, member of the EuroMarine Steering Committee, member of the Sectoral Council for Qualification of the Blue Economy, National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP) and member of the Board of National Observatory of Emerging Risks (ASAE). She was involved in the preparation of the Regional Programme for Spatial Planning of the Central Region (PROT Centro), contributing, to the thematic area "Innovation and Competitiveness: Blue economy". Her research interests include adding economic value to marine food resources, innovative food formulations with functional properties (incorporation of seaweeds extracts/compounds), marine bio-based ingredients as additives in food formulations and food structure with an emphasis on 3D printing materials.
Ricardo Melo

Vocal

Associate Professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and researcher at MARE. Main research area is biology and ecology of commercial seaweeds, their management and cultivation. Active participation in the national implementation of the EU Water Framework (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directives (MSFD) and various other environmental monitoring studies. Extensive teaching experience in phycology and algal biotechnology at various academic levels.
Zara Teixeira

Vocal

Assistant Researcher at the University of Évora, member of MARE, Zara is a Biologist, with a PhD in Biosciences and a MSc in Geographic Information Systems, whose research interests focus on studying interactions between humans and the natural world in geographic space and time. She uses a multidisciplinary approach that falls mainly within the scientific field of Environmental Geography and Stewardship mostly applied to marine, coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Her work includes environmental and ecosystem services assessment and management; spatial analysis and modelling; key players' engagement; and Ocean Literacy research. She is also deeply involved in science communication and environmental education to a wide variety of audiences and in different contexts.
Support to coordination

Pedro Raposo de Almeida

Full professor at the University of Évora and the Director of MARE. Head of the Scientific Research Board of the Mora Freshwater Aquarium. Nominated as expert on fish distribution by the European Environment Agency (EEA), EIONET and National Reference Centre for Nature and Biodiversity (ICNB).
Expertise in biology and conservation of fishes, with focus in aquatic biotelemetry, management of commercial fisheries, fish population dynamics and ecological monitoring.
Support to coordination

Cláudia Pascoal

Associate Professor at University of Minho, Director of CBMA (Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology) and Deputy Director of IB-S (Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability).
Expertise in impacts of global change on biodiversity and ecosystem processes in freshwaters with focus on organic matter turnover; disentangling effects of multiple stressors; Adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change; Impacts of emerging contaminants to freshwaters at the community-, population- and cellular-level, with focus on aquatic fungi and invertebrates; Molecular tools to assess microbial diversity.
Vice-Coordinator

Sara Raposo

Assistant Professor at the University of Algarve and is the Director of the Center for Research Marine and Environmental (CIMA). She also coordinates the Engineering and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory. Her research field is in Biotechnology and Blue Energy, in microalgae biorefinery, with the valorisation of biological resources and production technologies, using sustainable bioprocesses in a circular economy and the development of bioprocessing systems for wastewater treatment to reduce resource demand and generation of effluents, waste and emissions.
Support to coordination

Fernanda Cássio

Full Professor at the University of Minho, researcher at CBMA. Expertise in biodiversity and freshwater ecosystem functioning; Aquatic pollution from eutrophication, metals, PAHs nanoparticles and microplastics; Eco-physiology of aquatic fungi; Metals and nanoparticles/microbe interactions; Molecular tools to assess microbial diversity and function in freshwater.
Support to coordination

Maria Bebianno

Full professor at University of Algarve and researcher at CIMA. Member of the Group of Experts of the Regular Process for the Evaluation of the State of the Marine Environment including the Socio-Economic Aspects of UN. She was Chairwoman of the General Assembly of the Portuguese Association of Women Scientists-AMONET and Portuguese alternate in the European Platform of Women in Science (EPWS).
Expertise in management and risks of marine contamination, with research focused on management and risks of “old” and emerging contaminants (personnel care products, pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials, micro- and nanoplastics).
Graça Martinho

Vocal

Full Professor at NOVA FCT and MARE researcher. Expert in the fields of planning and policy instruments for waste management, waste collection systems, material recycling, waste management models for the circular economy, and social psychology applied to behaviors towards waste. Graça's extensive professional experience includes serving as President of NOVA.ID - Association for Innovation and Development of FCT NOVA (2014-2018), coordinator of the Scientific Committee of the Portuguese Plastics Pact (2020-2021), member of the Advisory Board of the Water and Waste Services Regulatory Authority (ERSAR, 2006-2011), co-coordinator of the National Waste Management Plan (PNGR 2030) and the Strategic Plan for Urban Waste (PERSU 2030).
Helena Adão

Vocal

Associate Professor at the University of Évora and researcher at MARE. Expertise in meiofauna ecology, focusing on nematode assemblages of estuarine and deep-sea sediments to study ecosystem processes. Research activities are currently focused on the development of innovative tools to assess habitat responses to Blue Economy activities and to assess Good Environmental Status (GES). Studies have been developed on the ecological processes of benthic assemblages, in particular the nematode assemblages and bacterial communities associated with intertidal seagrass meadows, subtidal estuarine sediments and deep-sea sediments.
Jaime Ramos

Vocal

Professor at the Universidade de Coimbra and MARE researcher. He leads the "EcoTop - Ecology and Conservation of Top Predators" Lab, where Conservation Physiology, Habitat Selection, Trophic Ecology, Stable isotopes and Biologging are used to study the ecology and conservation of top predators. He has published 260 scientific papers, supervised 30 PhD students, 81 Masters students and 7 pos-doc researchers.
Joana Robalo

Vocal

Associate Professor at ISPA - University Institute of Psychological, Social, and Life Sciences and researcher at MARE. Her research focuses on themes related to phylogeny and phylogeography of aquatic organisms, applying molecular biology techniques to solve problems in conservation and management of species. She has participated in more than a hundred national and international scientific meetings and published 90 scientific articles, as well as contributions in books. She has been directly involved in 22 research projects, being the principal investigator and/or responsible at ISPA in about half of them.
Support to coordination

João Canning-Clode

Principal Investigator at the Regional Agency for the Development of Research Technology and Innovation – ARDITI, Coordinator of the Madeira
Regional Research Unit of MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE-ARDITI), Research Associate at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, USA, Principal Scientist and Scientific Coordinator of the Smithsonian MarineGEO NE Atlantic Madeira site.
Expertise in anthropogenic pressures (including marine litter, contaminants, coastal development, invasive species) in marine ecosystems and vast experience in MSFD implementation policies and environmental risk assessments.
Maria Manuel Gil

Vocal

MARE researcher. CTO for Ocean at Colab +Atlantic, member of the EuroMarine Steering Committee, member of the Sectoral Council for Qualification of the Blue Economy, National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP) and member of the Board of National Observatory of Emerging Risks (ASAE). She was involved in the preparation of the Regional Programme for Spatial Planning of the Central Region (PROT Centro), contributing, to the thematic area "Innovation and Competitiveness: Blue economy". Her research interests include adding economic value to marine food resources, innovative food formulations with functional properties (incorporation of seaweeds extracts/compounds), marine bio-based ingredients as additives in food formulations and food structure with an emphasis on 3D printing materials.
Ricardo Melo

Vocal

Associate Professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and researcher at MARE. Main research area is biology and ecology of commercial seaweeds, their management and cultivation. Active participation in the national implementation of the EU Water Framework (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directives (MSFD) and various other environmental monitoring studies. Extensive teaching experience in phycology and algal biotechnology at various academic levels.
Zara Teixeira

Vocal

Assistant Researcher at the University of Évora, member of MARE, Zara is a Biologist, with a PhD in Biosciences and a MSc in Geographic Information Systems, whose research interests focus on studying interactions between humans and the natural world in geographic space and time. She uses a multidisciplinary approach that falls mainly within the scientific field of Environmental Geography and Stewardship mostly applied to marine, coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Her work includes environmental and ecosystem services assessment and management; spatial analysis and modelling; key players' engagement; and Ocean Literacy research. She is also deeply involved in science communication and environmental education to a wide variety of audiences and in different contexts.
Luís Coelho

URI MARE Coordinator

Adjunct Teacher at Polytechnic University of Setúbal and researcher at MARE. He has developed activities related to energy efficiency, sustainable use of energy sources, renewable energy sources, including geothermal energy, solar thermal and biomass, the development of thermal energy storage solutions, and studies on outdoor and indoor air quality. He also has experience in numerical modelling based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), as well as in energy simulation of buildings.
Manuel Eduardo dos Santos

URI MARE Coordinator

Associate Professor at ISPA - Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida of Setúbal and researcher at MARE. He is a biologist with extensive experience in teaching Animal Behaviour, Zoology, Marine Ecology, Bioacoustics, and other topics, mainly in Portugal and Brazil, with research focused on aquatic mammals. In his DeGóis curriculum, the most frequent terms in the context of scientific, technological, and artistic-cultural production are: Bioacoustics, Marine Biology, Animal Behaviour, Ecology, and Ethology.
Maria Jorge Campos

URI MARE Coordinator

Agro-Industrial Engineer of Setúbal and researcher at MARE. Adjunct Teacher in Instituto Politécnico de Leiria Escola Superior de Turismo e Tecnologia do Mar de Peniche. Published 20 articles in journals. Has 3 section(s) of books. Has 1 patent(s) registered. Works in the areas of Agrarian Sciences with emphasis on Agrarian and Food Biotechnology, Medical and Health Sciences with emphasis on Infectious Diseases and Natural sciences with emphasis on Marine Biology. In her curriculum the most frequent terms are: Salmonella; Campylobacter; quinolones; cefalosporins; ESBL; colistin; Bioactive coumpounds.
Coordinator

Flávio Martins

Coordinator Professor at the engineering school of University of Algarve, researcher at CIMA. Expertise in hydrodynamics, water quality and mathematical modelling, combining the use of remote sensing, in situ sensors and models.
Coordinator

Ronaldo Sousa

Professor at Universidade do Minho, researcher at CBMA. Expertise in Ecology and Conservation; invasive species; biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; ecosystem engineering; extreme climatic events and impacts of human activities in aquatic ecosystems.
Coordinator

Paula Sobral

Associate Professor at FCT-NOVA and researcher at MARE. Designated microplastics expert for the National Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, I.P).
Expertise in Marine litter and microplastics (MP) as persistent pollutants in the oceans, with focus on the harmonisation of analytical techniques for detection of MP, the distribution, abundance and fluxes of MP, the effects of MP towards biota and the risk assessment of plastic pollution.
Interested in the scientific and social values of ecology and their application to the management of natural resources.
Coordinator

Sara Novais

Assistant researcher, Coordinator of MARE’s Research Thematic Line “Biotechnology and Valorisation of Natural Resources”. Expertise in toxicological mechanisms, pathways and chemical modes of action using “omic” technologies and other biomarker tools, with application to the biotechnology field.
Was member of the coordination board of MARE–Polytechnic of Leiria and co-responsible for the CETEMARES scientific facility in Peniche.
Coordinator

Lia Vasconcelos

Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering – FCT NOVA, researcher at MARE.
Expertise in innovative processes of collaborative decision making, mobilizing and engaging multi-stakeholders aiming new ways of governance.