Joint Master Programme in Marine Biotechnology

Prof. Jerónimo Chirivella PhD, Associate Professor and member of the Research Group in Living Resources in the Institute of Environment and Marine Sciences Research in the Catholic University of Valencia (IMEDMAR-UCV). The expertise of his research group includes living resources production in recirculated aquaculture systems (RAS), with mention of microalgae biomass production in closed photobioreactors and screening of bioactivity for agri-food and aquafarm uses. Contributes to courses related to Culture Collections of Microalgae, Microalgal Biotechnology and Aquaculture Production Systems

PhD in biochemistry, biotechnologist since 2000, her research topics concern marine proteins upgrading through mainly peptides production. From characterisation to biological actvity demonstration, she is author of one patent, already on the market. Director of 7pHD financed by competitive research projects and involved in various research contracts with international companies. PI of the European BBMBC project (EASME/EMFF/2016.1.2.1.2/SI2749359) Director of the La Rochelle University Biotechnology master and Biotechnology teaching departement.

Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Croatia. At the University of Zadar, he teaches the courses "Aquaculture" and "Diseases and health protection of aquatic organisms". His research is mainly oriented towards sustainable aquaculture, with a special emphasis on aquatic animal health and welfare.

Associate Professor and senior researcher at the Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University (Lithuania). At the University of Klaipėda, she teaches the courses "Cell biology", "Ecology" and "Biological field practice". Field of expertise is oriented towards fundamental and applied research in plankton diversity, microbial food web interactions.

Dr Emmanouil Malandrakis is currently an Assistant Professor at the Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology, Department of Animal Science of the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece. He has taught in graduate and postgraduate levels biochemistry, aquaculture and management of aquaculture enterprises. He has worked as a production manager in the food industry. He has published 18 research papers in international peer-reviewed journals, 4 book chapters and more than 40 contributions in national and international scientific conferences.

Marine Biologist since 1989, PhD in Biology of Marine Organisms. His research activity has focused on the study of marine benthos (faunistical, ecological and environmental quality). Director of the IMEDMAR-UCV Institute. He has participated in 23 competitive research projects, some of them as IP and more than 100 contracts and agreements. Project Manager of the LIFE PINNARCA Project. Highlighting his participation in the study of the Chafarinas Islands where he discovered a new species of Polychaeta for science. 64 scientific publications and 70 communications in congresses, having directed 70 research works including 6 doctoral theses.

European PhD in biomaterials after a long stay at the University of Paris Sud XI with a Marie Curie fellowship. He was a postdoctoral researcher at King's College London. He has been a visiting professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and at the University of Pennsylvania in the USA. He currently works as Principal Investigator of the Biomaterials and Bioengineering Laboratory (Serrano BBlab) at the UCV's San Alberto Magno Translational Research Centre (CITSAM). He is the author of 5 patents and more than 100 publications. He has recently been included in the list of the most outstanding scientists in the "World Ranking of Top 2% Scientists" published by Stanford University, USA, in 2021.

Ana de Luis is holds an Agriculture Engineer Degree with a Minor in Biotechnology from Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Spain) and a PhD in Molecular Aspects of Biology from Université de Strasbourg (France), where she was granted a Marie Curie FP6 predoctoral fellowship. In 2010 she was appointed as professor at the Catholic University of Valencia (UCV). From 2017-2018 she participated in the European project "A Blue Biotechnology Master for a Blue Career", the initial programme which was later transformed into the JMPMB. In July 2019, she was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Experimental Sciences. From 2019 to 2022, she served as Vicepresident for Academic Affairs at the European University EU-CONEXUS (https://www.eu-conexus.eu). She currently develops her research as part of the "Genomics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology" research group of the Institute for the Environment and Marine Science (IMEDMAR-UCV), in which she applies her knowledge of massive DNA/RNA sequencing technologies to issues related to the marine and agri-food environment.

"European PhD in Oceanography (University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria). For several years she has been developing and optimising methods for the extraction and analysis of pollutants (organic and inorganic) using micellar media as a ""green"" alternative to traditional methods. Recently, she has focused her research work on the optimisation and development of methods for the extraction and analysis of compounds with antioxidant activity from macroalgae. She has co-directed a doctoral thesis in this field and is currently supervising 4 other doctoral theses. Her most recent publications are those derived from her work with brown algae (Himanthalia elongata and Fucus vesiculosus), although she has also worked with red and green algae (results pending publication)."

Mónica Díez-Díaz holds a PhD in Biotechnology. Since 2012 she is member of the Catholic University of Valencia, where she teaches Biochemistry, Genomics and Proteomics. She is also principal investigator in the "Genomics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology" group, attached to the Institute for Research in Environment and Marine Science (IMEDMAR), where her team applies their knowledge to questions related to Environmental Genomics and Blue Biotechnology and maintain collaborations with national and foreign research centers.

"PhD in Marine Sciences and lecturer in the Bsc in Marine Sciences at UCV since 2011. Expert in marine ecology, conservation and ecophysiology of marine macrophytes. Experience in the development and application of bioindicators to assess the ecological quality of the marine environment. She has worked on the development of indicators to assess the impact of offshore aquaculture on benthic populations using different physiological markers in marine macrophytes and angiosperms including isotopic analysis as a tool for detecting discharges from these facilities. "

Scientific coordinator of the IMEDMAR-UCV of the Catholic University of Valencia and director of the Marine Biology group. Professor of Marine Ecology. Expert in the study and conservation of threatened marine invertebrates, especially Pinna nobilis. Director of the European LIFE PINNARCA Project (LIFE20-NAT/ES/001265) on the recovery of this critically endangered species. He has worked as a scientific director in the shooting of underwater documentaries and films about the Mediterranean Sea and tropical seas with more than 2000 scientific and technical dives."

Engineer in agronomy and PhD in microbiology. After 10 years as assistant professor at the National Institute of Applied Sciences engineer school (INSA) in Toulouse, she joined in 2000 La Rochelle University (LRU) where she is professor in biochemistry. She was vice-director of CNRS UMR 7266 laboratory LIENSs (Littoral, Environment and Societies) between 2014 and 2020 and is head of international relations for the Institute in Smart Urban Costal Sustainability (LUDI in French) of LRU. Her research activities currently focuses on the analysis of the impact of chronic chemical pollution on marine organisms, by using metabolomics tools. She is the author of 1 patent and more than 50 publications.

Dr. D'Auria work is mainly focused on studying microbial ecology of natural and/or host associated environments. Dr. D'Auria expertise spans from microbial genomics to metagenomics and metataxonomy of complex communities. Since 2020, Dr. D'Auria is in charge of Bioinformatics Service within the Sequencing and Bioinformatics Service of FISABIO foundation. During the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, he participated and promoted the activities for the sequencing of the first Spanish genomes of the virus. During his career he published more than sixty papers indexed in high-impact peer reviewed international journals.

Mercedes Cervera received her BSc in Biotechnology at Universitat Politécnica de Valencia, her MSc in food science and Technology and her PhD in Microbiology both at the Universitat de Valencia. She has been a researcher at the IIS la Fe where conducted research on pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus .In 2018 she was a visiting researcher at the Rochefeller University in New York City where she worked in bacteriophage lysins as a new antibiotics. In 2019 she joined the Universidad Católica de Valencia; since then she has compaginated her work at the Instituto Valenciano de Patologia coordinating the laboratory diagnosis Covid19 with teaching courses in Medicine programme. 

Dr HDR Laurent PICOT is out of grade Professor assistant in Biochemistry, Head of the “Heterocycles and Pigments Research Group” of team Biotechnology and Chemistry of Bioresources for Health, La Rochelle University, France. Head and coordinator of the Franco-Brazilian Network on Natural Products, Editor in Marine Drugs, author/co-author of 77 publications and 1 patent; h-index 27. He devotes his research activities to the study and valorization of marine and terrestrial natural products for antibacterial and antitumor activities, including phototherapy and chemosensitization. Master 2 in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, PhD. in microbiology of infectious diseases and Professoral Habilitation in Biochemistry and Marine pharmacology, he has an interdisciplinary expertise in Marine Biotechnology and Marine Pharmacology. He has significant experience with management of research projects including European networks Interreg IIIB Seafoodplus and Valbiomar (Biotechnological valorization of marine biomasses), ANR EmergenceBio 2008 PHOTOMER (Identification, evaluation, and valorization of marine compounds for the photodynamic therapy of tumors), FEDER XPIG (Eco-extraction of microalgae pigments for cancer treatment), INTERREG Atlantic area EnhanceMicroalgae 2017-2023, EAPA338_2016 (Improving microalgae research, industrial transfer and markets in the European Atlantic Area), IFREMER PHASMA (Photoactivable Substances from Marine Algae, co-inventor of the patent n° FR3109086 “Use of a polar extract of Skeletonema in photodynamic therapy”).

Dr. Dimitris Vlachakis is an Associate Professor of Genetics at the Genetics Lab, Biotechnology Dept of the Agricultural University of Athens. He is also a Researcher B level at the University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine at the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and an Affiliated Investigator at the Neurosciences and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group of the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens. Recently Dimitris was appointed Vice President of HTA at the National Organization for Medicines and Representative at the European Commission.

Senior Scientist at La Rochelle Université, she holds a PhD in Biochemistry with specialty in protein biochemistry and Biology of the cell. She led the “Biotechnologies and chemistry applied to bioresources for the health” teams at the CNRS laboratory Littoral Environment and Societies. She published 46 articles, she is also co-author of 3 patents, 1 book chapters and communications. She participated in European training and several European and national research programs

Associate Professor and senior researcher at the Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University (Lithuania). At the University of Klaipėda, she teaches the courses „Microbiology“ and „Blue biotechnology“ for bachelor and master students of Life sciences. Research is oriented towards aquatic microorganism diversity and ecology, bathing water quality assessment. Recently she started to work on the application of microorganisms for biotechnologies.

Accociate professor and lead scientist at the Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University (Lithuania). His teaching experience includes courses of “Statistical methods for marine ecology” and “Geographical Research Methods”; for the undergraduate level students and course of “Geostatistics methods” and “Application of GIS and spatial analysis methods in marine and coastal research” for the graduate level students. His research is mainly oriented towards the phytobenthos diversity, distribution and relationships with environmental factors.

Scientist at the Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University. Her main expertise is on phytoplankton ecology and biology. She is highly involved in water quality and marine biotechnological investigations based on cyanobacterial secondary compounds. Her teaching experience includes courses of “Microorganisms in marine biotechnology”, “Microbiology” and “Biological field practice” for the undergraduate level students.

Full Professor in Biotechnology at ULR since 2005. Specialist in unconventional biocatalysis. Director of the CNRS LBCB FRE 2766 (2006-2007). Director of the UMR LIENSs CNRS 6250 from 2008 to 2010. Welcomed in delegation to the CNRS headquarters from 2011 to 2021 as scientific deputy director of the Ecology and environment institute (InEE). Former winner in 2001 of the national competition for the creation of innovative technology companies, Gaszyme project, Emergence category. Participation under article 25-2 of the law on innovation in the creation of GASZYME SARL in 2003. Scientific advisory activities and participation of 15% in the share capital of GASZYME SARL (2003-2007).

With 13 years of experience in the field of biotechnology and biochemistry, Dr. Oussama ACHOUR currently works as a research engineer at “bioaqtiv” (www.bioaqtiv.fr). He deals with research and development projects, mainly in partnership with industrial players in the health sector (pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements). Dr Achour is also involved in the La Rochelle university as a teacher, particularly in disciplines such as biochemistry, analytical chemistry, biostatistics or the management of innovation and scientific projects.

Doctor and Professor in Organic Chemistry, she owns a PhD in Organic Chemistry. After a post-doctoral fellow position at Imperial College of London, she joined La Rochelle Université where she became a Professor. Her research interests: medicinal chemistry applied to kinase inhibitors, heteroatomic chemistry (N,S), microwave assisted methodologies and eco-extraction processes, the valorisation of marine or terrestrial alkaloids in cancerology.

Full Professor at the Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar. At the undergraduate study program "Applied ecology in agriculture" she teaches the course "Fisheries", while at the master study program "Sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems" teaches the courses "Fisheries and environment" and "Local aquatic products". Her research interest is mainly oriented towards fisheries, with a special emphasis on fish population structure, reproduction, age and growth, chemical composition and quality characteristics of fish and fishery products.

Associate Professor and Vice-Head of the Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar. At the undergraduate study program "Applied ecology in agriculture" he teaches the course "Aquaculture", while at the master study program "Sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems" teaches the courses "Aquaculture technology " and " Aquaculture and the environment ". Furthermore, at the University of La Rochelle since 2019, he is teaching the course “Introduction in aquaculture”.

Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar. At the master study program ""Sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems"" teaches the courses ""Physiology of aquatic organisms"", ""Aquaculture and fisheries management"" and ""Fish nutrition"". He has rich experience and good knowledge of opportunities and challenges in aquaculture; he worked for more than 15 years at different positions at mariculture company “Cenamar d.d.”, and after that he worked 14 years as the Head of the Fisheries department in the governmental Extension Service in Croatia.

Assistant Professor at the Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar. At the undergraduate study program “Underwater science and technology” teaches the courses “Diving systems”, Diving trening I” and Diving trening II. “At the master study program "Sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems" teaches the courses “ "Fish nutrition" and “Diseases and health protection of aquatic organisms”. His research interest is mainly oriented towards fish health, fish nutrition, and diving.

"Assistant professor of the Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar. At the undergraduate study program ""Underwater sciences and technology"" she teaches the course ""General Biology"", “Methods in underwater sciences and technologies”, and “Threats to aquatic ecosystems” while at the master study program ""Sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems"" she teaches the courses ""Local aquatic products” and “Fisheries and environment”.

The head of Klaipeda University Marine Research Institute Fisheries and Aquaculture Laboratory. He is an expert in fish biology, fishery management and conservation, while his recent involvement is mostly related to aquaculture and blue bioeconomy sector development. He teaches courses of Ichthyology, Fish Behavioral and Reproductive Biology, Fish Ecology, Aquatic Bioresources, Management of Aquatic Ecosystems and Living Resources, Fish Biology, Ichthyology and Introduction to Aquaculture for undergraduate and graduate students.