Helena Monteiro | Coastal Management | Young Scientist Award

Ms. Helena Monteiro | Coastal Management | Young Scientist Award

Mestre | Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto | Portugal

Short Bio 🌟

Helena Monteiro is a passionate marine biologist and remote sensing specialist with a keen interest in water quality management and atmospheric research. With academic and professional experience spanning biology, marine sciences, and meteorology, Helena has made significant contributions to the fields of environmental science through research and presentations at national and international conferences. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Remote Sensing at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, while also serving in meteorologist roles in the Portuguese Navy.

Education 🎓

  • Master in Remote Sensing (2022-Present)
    Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto
    Participated in IJUP’23 – 16th Meeting of Young Researchers of the University of Porto.
  • Master in Biology and Water Quality Management (2018-2020)
    Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & Aveiro University
    Helena contributed to several academic events, including the EUGLOH Conference, IJUP’20 – 13th Meeting of Young Researchers, and the IDEIA 2020 Conference hosted by Escola Naval.
  • Degree in Marine Science (2015-2018)
    Aveiro University
    Focused on marine science, preparing the foundation for her career in environmental and biological research.

Experience 💼

  • Portuguese Institute of the Atmosphere (2023)
    As a research scholar, Helena worked on detecting long-term trends in sea surface temperatures (SST) and documented shifts during glacial terminations in the North Atlantic. Her work helped identify major cold episodes linked to meltwater pulses and explored thermal contrasts in key locations.
  • Hydrographic Institute (2020)
    Conducted extracurricular internships in the Marine Chemistry and Pollution Division, participating in two ship expeditions aboard the NRP Gago Coutinho. She also developed multiple presentations and e-posters for conferences like IDEIA 2020 and EUGLOH Conference.
  • University of Algarve (2021-2022)
    Served as a research scholar where she focused on satellite data acquisition and analysis using SNAP, delivering findings through oral presentations at conferences such as the I Copernicus Conference and WACOMA Conference.
  • Teacher for Study Centers (2021-2023)
    Helena has teaching experience, having worked at the Pedagogical Support Center and Cooperativa Múltipla Escolha, providing educational support to third and fourth-grade students.
  • Portuguese Navy (2023-Present)
    Currently serving as a meteorologist, Helena utilizes her remote sensing and environmental expertise to aid the Portuguese Navy in atmospheric observations.

Research Interests 🔬

Helena is deeply interested in marine science, water quality management, and remote sensing. Her research focuses on understanding sea surface temperatures, detecting climate trends, and assessing the environmental impact of meltwater pulses. She aims to expand her knowledge in atmospheric sciences, contributing to the understanding of glacial shifts and marine temperature patterns.

Awards 🏅

  • Nominee for the EUGLOH Conference Award for her e-poster presentation in 2020.
  • Nominee for the IDEIA 2020 Conference Award for her contribution in the marine chemistry and pollution field.

Publications 📚

  1. Harmful Algal Blooms on the Portuguese coast: Cross-checking events with remote sensing ocean colour data for coastal management. Link to publication.

Conclusion 🔚

Helena Monteiro is a forward-thinking marine scientist dedicated to advancing research in water quality and atmospheric trends. Her contributions through scholarly work, research, and presentations demonstrate her commitment to understanding environmental shifts and their global impacts. With her ongoing studies in remote sensing and current role in the Portuguese Navy, Helena continues to play an influential role in marine and atmospheric sciences.

Ahmed Gad | Marine Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ahmed Gad | Marine Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries | Egypt

Short Bio 🌍

Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Mohamed Abd El-Aziz Gad is an esteemed Egyptian microbiologist specializing in marine microbial research. He currently serves as a researcher at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Gad has significantly contributed to the understanding of microbial biodiversity, particularly marine fungi and bacteria. His work spans a variety of topics, including antimicrobial activity and biotechnological applications. He is committed to advancing research in marine microbiology and environmental health.

Profile 👤

Orcid

Education 🎓

Dr. Gad obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Al-Azhar University in 2006 with honors. He pursued his Master’s courses in the same field at the same institution and earned his M.Sc. in Microbiology in 2017, with a focus on fatty acid production from marine bacteria. In 2022, he completed his Ph.D. in Microbiology, exploring the seasonal fungal biodiversity along Alexandria’s coastline, emphasizing enzymatic production and applications.

Experience 💼

Dr. Gad began his professional journey in 2008, working as a microbiology specialist in Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs. Later, he returned to Egypt, where he worked at the Ministry of Health in water and sanitation laboratories. Since 2013, he has been with the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, progressing from research assistant to researcher. His expertise includes microbiological analysis, environmental monitoring, and the study of marine microorganisms.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Gad’s research primarily focuses on marine microbiology, with special attention to fungal and bacterial biodiversity in marine environments. His work delves into the antimicrobial properties of marine organisms and the potential biotechnological applications of these microorganisms, such as bioethanol production and environmental remediation. He is passionate about developing sustainable solutions for marine ecosystem challenges.

Awards 🏆

While Dr. Gad has not been directly mentioned in specific awards, his recognition as a leading researcher in the field of marine microbiology, through numerous publications and active participation in scientific forums and workshops, showcases his contributions to the scientific community.

Publications 📚

  1. Gad, A. M., et al. (2016). Screening of marine fatty acids producing bacteria with antimicrobial capabilities. Chemistry of Advanced Materials, 1(2).
    Cited by: View Article
  2. Amer, M. S., et al. (2019). Characterization of some fungal strains isolated from the Eastern coast of Alexandria, Egypt, and some applications of Penicillium crustosum. The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research.
    Cited by: View Article
  3. Gad, A. M., et al. (2021). Characterization and screening of marine-derived fungi along the coastline of Alexandria, Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 25(5), 215-239.
    Cited by: View Article
  4. Soliman, M. O., et al. (2022). Characterization of some bacterial strains isolated from the Egyptian Eastern and Northern coastlines with antimicrobial activity of Bacillus zhangzhouensis OMER4. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 41(3), 86-93.
    Cited by: View Article
  5. Gad, A. M., et al. (2021). Antimicrobial and antifouling activities of the cellulase produced by marine fungal strain; Geotrichum candidum MN638741. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 25(6), 49-60.
    Cited by: View Article
  6. Gad, A. M., et al. (2022). Characterization of cellulase from Geotrichum candidum strain Gad1 approaching bioethanol production. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 1-14.
    Cited by: View Article
  7. Ibrahim, H. A., et al. (2023). Geomicrobiology of African lakes. In Lakes of Africa (pp. 195-246). Elsevier.
    Cited by: View Article
  8. Hasnaa E-B. Ghonam, et al. (2024). Assessment of Docosene Surfactant Mediated Crude Oil Remediation by Marine Plectosphaerella cucumerina Strain HBKB. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 28(1), 1905-1922.
    Cited by: View Article
  9. Gad, A. M., et al. (2024). Biodiversity and suppression of wood-decaying fungi in marine environment, Alexandria, Egypt by selected natural products: Control the fungal growth/contamination. Ecological Frontiers, 44(1), 195-205.
    Cited by: View Article

Conclusion 🎯

Dr. Ahmed Gad has made significant strides in marine microbiology, contributing to the scientific understanding of microbial ecosystems. His research has practical applications in environmental health and biotechnology, making him a prominent figure in his field.