Ms. Stefania Marieva Manolaki | Marine Biology | Young Scientist Award

Ms. Stefania Marieva Manolaki | Marine Biology | University of Crete | Greece

Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki is a dedicated emerging researcher specializing in marine biology, with particular focus on microplastic pollution, marine organisms, and sediment–water interactions, and she is currently affiliated with the University of Crete, where she is pursuing her doctoral studies in biology. Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki’s academic background reflects a strong foundation in environmental science and aquatic ecology, supported by rigorous training that has shaped her into a capable and analytically driven scientist whose work bridges laboratory analysis and field-based marine research. Throughout her professional experience, Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki has contributed to multidisciplinary research groups investigating microplastic contamination in marine organisms, metal accumulation within integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems, and environmental stress responses in benthic ecosystems, allowing her to develop proficiency in sampling methodologies, microscopic and spectroscopic identification of microplastics, statistical data evaluation, and risk-benefit assessments related to seafood safety. Her research interests revolve around understanding anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems, with particular emphasis on microplastic occurrence in commercially valuable species such as mussels, pearl oysters, and Mediterranean fish, as well as the ecological implications of aquaculture activities on growth performance and contaminant exposure in bivalves and other marine organisms. Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki’s research skills include microplastic extraction and quantification techniques, environmental monitoring, aquaculture system analysis, organismal tissue processing, and data interpretation within ecological and toxicological frameworks, enabling her to contribute meaningfully to both applied and theoretical marine science. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications addressing critical regional and global concerns regarding marine pollution, contributing to the scientific understanding of how microplastics and metals interact with biological systems in the Mediterranean Sea. Her work has already been recognized through measurable scholarly impact, including citations and collaboration with well-established marine scientists, demonstrating her growing influence in the field. In addition, Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki has received acknowledgment within her academic community for her dedication, research productivity, and contributions to collaborative environmental projects, underscoring her commitment to advancing marine conservation efforts. Overall, Ms. Stefania-Marieva Manolaki’s academic journey, research achievements, and expanding expertise position her as a promising young scientist whose work continues to support sustainable aquaculture practices, informed environmental management, and deeper scientific understanding of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems.

Academic Profile: ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

1. Manolaki, S.-M., Chatzivasileiou, D., Lampa, M., Dimitriou, P. D., Philippidis, A., & others. (2023). Microplastic contamination in cultured mussels and pearl oysters in Greece.

2. Manolaki, S.-M., Dimitriou, P. D., Lampa, M., Karakassis, I., & Papageorgiou, N. (2025). Microplastic concentration in Mediterranean commercial fish: A systematic review.

3. Dimitra, C., Baltadakis, A., Dimitriou, P. D., Magiopoulos, I., Manolaki, S.-M., & others. (2025). Metal in organisms cultivated in IMTA systems at Mediterranean fish farms: Risk and benefit assessment.