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.

Dr. rodrigo ozorio | Machine learning applied to Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award

Principal Researcher | CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Porto | Portugal

Dr. Rodrigo Ozorio is a Principal Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) of the University of Porto. With over 20 years of experience, his expertise lies in aquaculture research, focusing on nutritional dynamics of fish. He has significantly contributed to the development of machine learning tools under the Aquaculture 4.0 scope, aiming to enhance fish farming through intelligent feeding, harvesting, and biomass estimation.

Strengths for the Award 🏆

Dr. Rodrigo Ozorio is a highly accomplished researcher in the field of aquaculture, with extensive experience and contributions to aquatic species nutrition, metabolism, and immune response. His research spans various aquatic species, including rainbow trout, seabass, and gilthead seabream, with an emphasis on sustainable aquaculture practices. He has over 120 published works, including peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals like Scientific Reports and Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Dr. Ozorio’s research also attracts significant international funding, as evidenced by his involvement in numerous EU-funded projects like AQUAHEAL and SEABIOPLAS. His long-standing academic career, demonstrated by his dual appointments as a Senior Researcher and Affiliate Professor, further solidifies his reputation as a leader in the field.

Education 🎓

Rodrigo holds a Ph.D. in Aquaculture from Wageningen University (The Netherlands), where he focused on dietary L-carnitine and energy metabolism in African catfish juveniles. He also completed an M.Sc. in Animal Sciences at Wageningen University and earned a Biological Sciences degree from Santa Ursula University in Brazil.

Experience 💼

Rodrigo has held various prestigious positions at CIIMAR, including his current role as a Principal Researcher. He has supervised 11 PhD and 16 MSc theses and has participated in 28 national and international research projects, contributing to over €2.5 million in total funding. Additionally, he has co-invented two international patents and holds an editorial board position for the journal Fishes.

Research Interests 🔬

Rodrigo’s research focuses on four key areas: fish nutrition and feeding, aquatic production systems, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. He is passionate about Precision Fish Farming (PFF), using advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to optimize fish farming processes and improve fish health and welfare.

Awards 🏆

Rodrigo has been recognized for his contributions to aquaculture research and has led several funded projects, positioning himself as a leading figure in sustainable aquaculture and technological advancements in fish farming. His involvement in high-impact research has resulted in various national and international accolades.

Publications 📚

Study of the influence of tributyrin-supplemented diets on the gut bacterial communities of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Scientific Reports, 2024-03-07
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55660-y

Induced swimming modified the antioxidant status of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2024-01
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2023.110893

Combined Effects of Temperature and Dietary Lipid Level on Body Composition, Growth, and Freshness Profile in European Seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax
Animals, 2023
DOI: 10.3390/ani13061068

Growth performance and quality indicators of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed diets including refined glycerol
Aquaculture, 2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2023.739377

Mansoa alliacea extract improves the growth performance and innate immune response of Arapaima gigas challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila and handling stress
Acta Amazonica, 2023
DOI: 10.1590/1809-4392202101231

Dietary tributyrin supplementation enhances the immune and antioxidant responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) without changes in fish performance
Aquaculture Reports, 2023-10
DOI: 10.1016/j.aqrep.2023.101735

Short-term swimming up-regulates pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 2023-10
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111487

Fatty acid profile of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) supplemented with dietary tributyrin: preliminary approach by gas chromatography
Aquaculture Europe 2023, Conference poster, 2023-09-18

Solid-State Fermentation as Green Technology to Improve the Use of Plant Feedstuffs as Ingredients in Diets for European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Juveniles
Animals, 2023-08-23
DOI: 10.3390/ani13172692

Conclusion 🌍

Given his significant contributions to aquaculture, his established academic career, and his leadership in multiple high-impact research projects, Dr. Ozorio is a highly suitable candidate for the “Best Researcher Award“. His research has not only advanced our understanding of aquatic species nutrition and immune response but has also promoted sustainability within aquaculture, making him a standout in the field.

Ana Couto | Aquaculture | Best Researcher Award