Prof. Marc Girondot | Marine Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Paris Saclay University | France

Marc Girondot, PhD, is a distinguished Full Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University Paris Saclay, specializing in quantitative biology applied to animal sciences, particularly reptiles. His research focuses on developing statistical models to assess the impacts of environmental changes on reptile populations.

Profile

Scholar

Strengths for the Award 🏆

Dr. Marc Girondot has an impressive publication record with 138 rank A publications and 35 rank B publications, highlighting his significant contributions to the field of quantitative biology and ecology.

His research has a notable h-index of 42, indicating that many of his publications are highly cited, which speaks to the relevance and influence of his work. Dr. Girondot’s expertise spans biostatistics, quantitative ecology, and environmental sciences, allowing him to tackle complex ecological issues related to anthropogenic pressures and climate change.

As the director of the Master of Environment program and head of the Ecological Processes and Anthropological Pressures research group, he has shown a commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists.

He has developed four R packages for statistical analysis and has published several influential papers on marine turtles, sex determination, and ecological modeling, showcasing his ability to apply statistical methods to real-world problems.

His work as an expert for various organizations, including the IUCN and national agencies, illustrates his recognition as a leading figure in global biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Education 🎓

Marc obtained his PhD in 1993 from the University Pierre et Marie Curie, where he analyzed genetic and epigenetic factors in reptile sex determination. He completed his Habilitation in 2000, studying macroevolution and adaptation in vertebrates.

Experience 💼

Since 2000, Marc has served as Full Professor at the University Paris Saclay, leading the research group on Ecological Processes and Anthropological Pressures. His previous roles include Assistant Professor at the University Denis Diderot and a visiting professorship in biostatistics in Tunisia.

Research Interests 🔍

Marc’s primary research interests include biostatistics, quantitative ecology, climate change, and conservation biology. He has developed four R packages and numerous freely available software tools to enhance research in these fields.

Awards 🏆

Marc has received notable recognition for his work, achieving a rank of 138 in A publications and an h-index of 42. He is the director of the Master of Environment program at the University Paris Sud and has supervised numerous master’s and PhD students.

Publications 📚

Regional management units for marine turtles: a novel framework for prioritizing conservation and research across multiple scales
Authors: BP Wallace, AD DiMatteo, BJ Hurley, EM Finkbeiner, AB Bolten, …
Year: 2010
Citations: 798

Global research priorities for sea turtles: informing management and conservation in the 21st century
Authors: M Hamann, MH Godfrey, JA Seminoff, K Arthur, PCR Barata, KA Bjorndal, …
Year: 2010
Citations: 749

Global conservation priorities for marine turtles
Authors: BP Wallace, AD DiMatteo, AB Bolten, MY Chaloupka, BJ Hutchinson, …
Year: 2011
Citations: 620

Are we working towards global research priorities for management and conservation of sea turtles?
Authors: AF Rees, J Alfaro-Shigueto, PCR Barata, KA Bjorndal, AB Bolten, …
Year: 2016
Citations: 297

Temperature-dependent sex determination and global change: are some species at greater risk?
Authors: V Hulin, V Delmas, M Girondot, MH Godfrey, JM Guillon
Year: 2009
Citations: 218

Dermochelys coriacea
Authors: BP Wallace, M Tiwari, M Girondot
Year: 2013
Citations: 197

Leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, nesting in French Guiana, 1978-1995
Authors: M Girondot, J Fretey
Year: 1996
Citations: 170

Successful reproduction of the introduced slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) in the South of France
Authors: A Cadi, V Delmas, AC Prévot‐Julliard, P Joly, C Pieau, M Girondot
Year: 2004
Citations: 169

Maternal transfer of trace elements in leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) of French Guiana
Authors: E Guirlet, K Das, M Girondot
Year: 2008
Citations: 165

Trade-off between current reproductive effort and delay to next reproduction in the leatherback sea turtle
Authors: P Rivalan, AC Prevot-Julliard, R Choquet, R Pradel, B Jacquemin, …
Year: 2005
Citations: 165

Conclusions 🌟

Dr. Marc Girondot stands out as a leading researcher in the fields of ecology and quantitative biology. His extensive publication record, high impact on the scientific community, and dedication to education make him a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. While there are areas where he could expand his influence, his current contributions to ecological research and conservation efforts are exemplary and set a strong foundation for future achievements. His work not only advances scientific knowledge but also plays a critical role in addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Strengths for the Award

Ms. Sahar Chebaane’s work in marine ecology, specifically on non-indigenous marine species (NIS), demonstrates significant contributions to marine bioinvasion monitoring and management. Her extensive research across multiple regions, such as the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Arabian Gulf, is particularly valuable given the global challenge of invasive species in marine environments. Leading projects like the first MarineGEO site in Tunisia and developing innovative tools such as the Remote Video Foraging System (RVFS) shows her capacity for innovation and leadership. With 17 publications in indexed journals and active participation in international collaborations, her work is impactful and policy-relevant.

🌊 Short Bio

Ms. Sahar Chebaane is a dedicated marine ecologist and PhD student at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, focusing on marine bioinvasions in coastal ecosystems. With expertise in non-indigenous species (NIS), she has contributed to several high-impact publications and ongoing international collaborations. Sahar is currently a research visitor at KAUST, working on projects in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. She also leads the first MarineGEO site in the southern Mediterranean, focusing on biosecurity and marine conservation efforts.

🎓 Education

Sahar holds a dual master’s degree in Biodiversity and Marine Sciences, coupled with an international PhD from the University of Lisbon. Her academic journey is marked by strong interdisciplinary expertise, which she applies in both marine ecology and biosecurity frameworks. Her current PhD research extends her deep understanding of NIS and their impact on local ecosystems.

💼 Experience

Sahar has played a pivotal role in 8 completed research projects and is actively engaged in updating species lists of ascidians and NIS in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. She also leads consultancy projects related to biodiversity monitoring and NIS management, applying cutting-edge tools like the Remote Video Foraging System (RVFS). As the Principal Investigator for the MarineGEO site in Tunisia, she drives sustainable management practices and oversees field deployments of the SERC protocol.

🔬 Research Interest

Her research centers on the impacts of non-indigenous species (NIS), particularly in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Red Sea regions. She is interested in how NIS interact with local marine ecosystems, developing innovative methods for risk assessments and biosecurity. Her work also focuses on ecological interactions, which inform conservation strategies and policies to manage invasive species more effectively.

📚 Publications

A Preliminary Inventory of Alien and Cryptogenic Species in Monastir Bay, Tunisia (2019) – Published in Mediterranean Marine Science, cited by 26 articles. Read here.
Prompt: Spatial distribution and pathways of invasive species in Tunisia.

From Plates to Baits: Using a Remote Video Foraging System to Study NIS Dynamics (2022) – Published in Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, cited by 12 articles. Read here.
Prompt: Innovation in studying non-indigenous species with RVFS.

The First Record of Brown Macroalga Rugulopteryx Okamurae in Madeira Island (2022) – Published by REABIC, cited by 11 articles. Read here.
Prompt: First sightings of invasive macroalgae in the Madeira Archipelago.

A New Signal of Tropicalization in the Northeast Atlantic: Spread of Spotfin Burrfish (2021) – Published in Diversity, cited by 8 articles. Read here.
Prompt: Expansion of tropical fish in the Northeast Atlantic.

New Record of Invasive Amphipod Caprella Scaura in Tunisia (2018) – Published in Journal of the Black Sea/Mediterranean Environment, cited by 8 articles. Read here.
Prompt: First reported sighting of an invasive amphipod species in North Africa.

📝 Conclusion

Sahar Chebaane is a prominent figure in marine ecology, specializing in bioinvasions and non-indigenous species management. Her multidisciplinary approach and innovative methods, such as using the RVFS for NIS dynamics, have made significant contributions to both academic research and practical conservation efforts. Her leadership in the MarineGEO project and ongoing collaborations reflect her commitment to marine conservation and sustainable management practices across global regions.

Marc Girondot | Marine Ecology | Best Researcher Award