Ana Couto | Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Ana Couto | Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award

Professor / Researcher | FCUP / CIIMAR | Portugal

Dr. Ana Isabel Santos Couto, a distinguished researcher and academic, holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Porto (2014). Her academic journey is marked by international collaborations with CIIMAR, Norway’s Life Sciences University, and Nord University. Currently serving as an Assistant Researcher at CIIMAR and an Invited Assistant Professor at the University of Porto, her expertise lies in fish nutrition, histology, physiology, and health and welfare. Dr. Couto’s research focuses on optimizing animal health through nutritional strategies and innovative diagnostic tools.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Couto obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Aveiro in 2004, graduating with distinction. She pursued her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Porto, completing her thesis on the impacts of antinutrients on marine species in collaboration with Norwegian institutions. Her academic credentials are complemented by advanced training in marine biology, toxicology, and aquaculture techniques.

Professional Experience

With a career spanning nearly two decades, Dr. Couto has contributed extensively to academia and industry. She has held research roles at CIIMAR, CCMAR, and Nord University, developing groundbreaking work in fish nutrition and health. She has supervised multiple Ph.D., M.Sc., and undergraduate projects, combining her scientific acumen with strong mentoring skills. Dr. Couto also actively participates in continuous education programs and manages CIIMAR’s histology laboratory, ensuring the transfer of her expertise to emerging scientists.

Research Interests

Dr. Couto’s primary research interests include:

  • Nutrition-health dynamics: Exploring the interplay between diet and health in aquatic species.
  • Innovative nutritional strategies: Developing sustainable feed ingredients to enhance fish health and welfare.
  • Diagnostic advancements: Creating tools to evaluate nutritional pathologies and optimize aquaculture health management.

Her work emphasizes sustainability, aiming to contribute to the global blue economy.

Awards

Dr. Couto’s achievements include being part of the winning team for the 2021 Challenge Startup Competition by the University of Macau, a recognition of her innovative contributions to animal health. Additionally, her projects have consistently been funded by competitive grants, affirming her role as a leading researcher.

Publications

Effect of solid-state fermentation of Brewer’s spent grain on digestibility and digestive function of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

    • Authors: Estevão-Rodrigues, T., Fernandes, H., Moutinho, S., Oliva-Teles, A., Peres, H.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 2

Tracking Biomarkers for the Health and Welfare of Aquaculture Fish

    • Authors: Oliveira, J., Oliva-Teles, A., Couto, A.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0

Effect of dietary L-glutamine supplementation on the intestinal physiology and growth during Solea senegalensis larval development

    • Authors: Matias, A.C., Viegas, A.R., Couto, A., Pousão-Ferreira, P., Ribeiro, L.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0

Salicornia ramosissima Biomass as a Partial Replacement of Wheat Meal in Diets for Juvenile European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

    • Authors: Barreto, A., Couto, A., Jerónimo, D., Costas, B., Rocha, R.J.M.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0

Novel chitinolytic Bacillus spp. increase feed efficiency, feed digestibility, and survivability to Vibrio anguillarum in European seabass fed with diets containing Hermetia illucens larvae meal

    • Authors: Rangel, F., Monteiro, M., Santos, R.A., Serra, C.R., Enes, P.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 5

Effect of Tryptophan Dietary Content on Meagre, Argyrosomus regius, Juveniles Stress and Behavioral Response

    • Authors: Vasconcelos, A., Soares, M.C., Barata, M., Mendes, R., Saavedra, M.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 0

Dietary oleic acid supplementation improves feed efficiency and modulates fatty acid profile and cell signaling pathway in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed high-lipid diets

    • Authors: Martins, N., Magalhães, R., Vieria, L., Peres, H., Oliva-Teles, A.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 7

Feeding Yellow Worms to Meagre: Effects on Whole-Body Fatty Acid Profile and Hepatic and Intestine Oxidative Status

    • Authors: Guerreiro, I., Castro, C., Serra, C.R., Oliva-Teles, A., Enes, P.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 4

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Yellow Mealworm as a Partial Fishmeal Replacer on Growth, Metabolism, and Intestinal Histomorphology in Juvenile Meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

    • Authors: Saavedra, M., Barata, M., Matias, A.C., Dias, J., Pousão-Ferreira, P.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 4

Oxidative Stress Response of Meagre to Dietary Black Soldier Fly Meal

    • Authors: Guerreiro, I., Castro, C., Serra, C.R., Oliva-Teles, A., Enes, P.
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 4

Conclusion

Dr. Ana Isabel Santos Couto exemplifies the synergy of academic rigor, innovative research, and impactful teaching. Her work bridges fundamental biology with applied aquaculture, fostering advancements that benefit both science and industry. Her commitment to sustainability and mentorship continues to inspire the next generation of researchers in marine biology and aquaculture.

Aires Oliva-Teles | Aquaculture | Academic Brilliance Recognition Award

Prof. Aires Oliva-Teles | Aquaculture | Academic Brilliance Recognition Award

Professor | FCUP / CIIMAR | Portugal

Aires Oliva Teles, a distinguished Portuguese scientist born in Porto, is a prominent figure in the field of fish nutrition and aquaculture. Holding a PhD in Biology from the University of Porto, his career spans decades of impactful contributions to academia, research, and industry. As a Full Professor at the Faculty of Sciences, Porto University, since 1998, Teles directs both the NUTRIMU – Fish Nutrition and Immunobiology Group and advanced academic programs such as the MSc in Biological Aquatic Resources and the PhD in Biology. His expertise centers on innovative approaches to aquaculture, addressing challenges in marine fish nutrition, sustainable feed alternatives, and fish welfare. Teles’s contributions to the scientific community are underscored by over 233 publications and significant roles in international journals and editorial boards.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Aires Oliva Teles’s academic foundation is rooted in the University of Porto, where he earned his Degree in Biology in 1981 and later, his PhD in Biology in 1988. His doctoral research set the stage for a prolific career in the intersection of aquatic biology and nutrition sciences. The rigorous training during his academic journey honed his expertise in experimental biology, advancing the fields of fish metabolism and sustainable aquaculture practices. These credentials reflect his commitment to fostering scientific understanding and application in biology.

Professional Experience

With over three decades of professional experience, Teles has held pivotal roles in academia and research. As a Full Professor at the University of Porto since 1998, he has spearheaded transformative programs in biological sciences. He also serves as the head of NUTRIMU, leading research in fish nutrition and immunobiology, and contributes to the strategic governance of the university as a member of its Senate and Scientific Council. Beyond academia, Teles has significantly influenced the aquaculture industry through collaborative projects with international organizations, industries, and EU-funded initiatives, emphasizing sustainable practices in fish farming.

Research Interests

Aires Oliva Teles’s research focuses on the nutrition of marine fish and its implications for sustainable aquaculture. His work investigates protein and amino acid utilization, lipid metabolism, and alternative feed ingredients to reduce reliance on fish meal and fish oil. He has a keen interest in functional feeds, gut microbiota, and nutritional strategies to enhance fish health and welfare. His interdisciplinary approach integrates biology, nutrition, and environmental sustainability, aiming to revolutionize aquaculture practices globally.

Awards and Recognitions

Teles’s contributions have earned him recognition in the scientific community, both nationally and internationally. As Editor-in-Chief of the Aquaculture Journal and Associate Editor for several leading journals, including Animal Feed Science and Technology, he plays a crucial role in shaping the discourse in his field. His extensive reviewer experience, having evaluated over 400 manuscripts, highlights his expertise and influence. Although specific awards are not detailed, his positions and prolific output reflect a career marked by consistent excellence and leadership.

Selected Publications

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) pre-pupae meal as a fish meal replacement in diets for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

    • Authors: R. Magalhães, A. Sánchez-López, R.S. Leal, S. Martínez-Llorens, …
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 474

Meat and bone meal as partial replacement for fish meal in diets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles: Growth, feed efficiency, amino acid utilization

    • Authors: S. Moutinho, S. Martínez-Llorens, A. Tomás-Vidal, M. Jover-Cerdá, …
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 175

Prebiotics as functional ingredients: focus on Mediterranean fish aquaculture

    • Authors: I. Guerreiro, A. Oliva‐Teles, P. Enes
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 149

Dietary protein requirements of fish–a meta‐analysis

    • Authors: A.O. Teles, A. Couto, P. Enes, H. Peres
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 136

Effect of extraction method and solvent system on the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of selected macro-and microalgae extracts

    • Authors: M. Monteiro, R.A. Santos, P. Iglesias, A. Couto, C.R. Serra, I. Gouvinhas, …
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 111

Effects of dietary methionine and taurine supplementation to low-fish meal diets on growth performance and oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

    • Authors: F. Coutinho, R. Simões, R. Monge-Ortiz, W.M. Furuya, P. Pousão-Ferreira, …
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 91

The European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) innate immunity and gut health are modulated by dietary plant-protein inclusion and prebiotic supplementation

    • Authors: R. Azeredo, M. Machado, E. Kreuz, S. Wuertz, A. Oliva-Teles, P. Enes, …
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 77

Neuroendocrine and immune responses undertake different fates following tryptophan or methionine dietary treatment: tales from a teleost model

    • Authors: R. Azeredo, M. Machado, A. Afonso, C. Fierro-Castro, F.E. Reyes-López, …
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 47

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture: a laboratory and hands-on experimental activity to promote environmental sustainability awareness and value of aquaculture products

    • Authors: M. Correia, I.C. Azevedo, H. Peres, R. Magalhães, A. Oliva-Teles, …
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 48

Optimal dietary linoleic acid to linolenic acid ratio improved fatty acid profile of the juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

    • Authors: R.R. Paulino, R.T. Pereira, T.V. Fontes, A. Oliva-Teles, H. Peres, D.J. Carneiro, …
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 48

Conclusion

Aires Oliva Teles’s career exemplifies a blend of academic rigor, innovative research, and impactful teaching. His work has propelled advancements in sustainable aquaculture and fish nutrition, addressing critical global challenges. Through leadership roles in academia and scientific publishing, Teles continues to shape the future of biological sciences and aquaculture, inspiring the next generation of researchers and professionals. His comprehensive contributions underscore a lifelong commitment to scientific progress and environmental sustainability.