Biosketch

My name is Mariana Ferreira and I hold a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry (BSc), obtained in 2016 from University of Porto (FCUP), and a Master’s degree in Microbiology granted by University of Lisbon (IST) in 2018. My master thesis, entitled “Genomic characterization and quantification of virulence factor activities in Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from human infections” was developed at iMM (Mário Ramirez Lab). My path in aquaculture research started in 2019, when I joined CIIMAR (Matosinhos, Portugal), under a research grant within the project Animal4aqua.

I am currently a PhD student of the Doctoral Programme in Animal Science from ICBAS, University of Porto, under a FCT grant. I have been developing my work at CIIMAR and Nord University (Bodø, Norway), focused on the impact of diets with micro- and macroalgae on the gut microbiota, intestinal morphology and immune responses (local and systemic) of European seabass, an important farmed fish species of the Mediterranean region. During my PhD work I have been applying omic tools, histological and cell culture techniques and bioinformatic analysis, and I also have some expertise in molecular (RT-PCR) and biochemical analysis.

Testimony

I was part of the iMM team when I joined Mário Ramirez Lab in 2017-2018, under the scope of my master thesis work. Since this was my first real experience within a scientific research context, it allowed me to have an in-depth understanding of the hurdles and challenges associated with a research career, at both professional and personal levels. Nonetheless, this experience at iMM also fuelled my drive to pursue a career in academia.

Working at iMM and being in close contact with highly skilled researchers and state-of-the-art facilities left with a drive to further my research knowledge in different fields within the natural sciences besides the areas in which I obtained my specific academic education. This motivation, coupled with my particular interest in sustainable practices to accommodate the increasing world population, led me to my current research focus on aquaculture, a fast-growing industry that faces several challenges requiring in-depth scientific investigation. My skills as a critical thinker and problem solver, that I was able to develop during my experience at iMM, have aid me in my current PhD path, and will follow me throughout my professional career.

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