Stefania Marieva Manolaki | Marine Biology | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Environmental Scientists

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.

 

Zhiyuan Qi | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Zhiyuan Qi | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Jianghan University | China 

Mr. Zhiyuan Qi is a dedicated Master Candidate in Biology at the College of Life Sciences, Jianghan University, specializing in aquatic biological resources protection. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Liaoning University, her undergraduate research focused on the anti-hepatoma activity of intracellular polysaccharides from Paecilomyces hepiali. Her academic journey reflects a strong commitment to aquatic ecology, with active participation in the Yangtze River “Ten-Year Fishing Moratorium” monitoring project aimed at supporting sustainable aquatic ecosystem management. Mr. Zhiyuan Qi has contributed to the field through publications, including one in an EI-indexed journal and another in the international journal Animals, showcasing her research in fish community ecology and freshwater ecosystem restoration. Her scholarly excellence was recognized through the “Excellent Graduate Report” Award at an academic meeting of the Fisheries Resources and Environment Branch of the China Society of Fisheries. Mr. Zhiyuan Qi research focuses on the ecological monitoring of freshwater systems, providing crucial data for resource management and biodiversity conservation in the Three Gorges Reservoir head area. Through her scientific contributions, she strives to advance understanding of aquatic ecosystem dynamics, offering insights that promote effective conservation policies and sustainable management practices for regional aquatic resources.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Qi, Z., Zhai, D., Liu, H., Xiong, F., Liao, C., Tian, H., & Duan, X. (2025). Fish community structure and nested distribution pattern of the three tributaries at the head of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Journal of Lake Sciences, 33, Article 032.

Cai, F., Qi, Z., Hu, Z., Zhai, D., Chen, Y., Xiong, F., & Liu, H. (2025, September). Revealing phenotypic differentiation in Ochetobius elongatus from the Middle Yangtze River through geometric morphometrics. Animals, 15(19), 2870.

Xinxin Zhang | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Xinxin Zhang | Ecology | Best Researcher Award

postgraduate, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Xinxin Zhang is a passionate postgraduate researcher at the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her work focuses on urban and regional planning, sustainable land use in both urban and rural areas, and urban landscape geography. Dedicated to addressing global sustainability challenges, she actively explores the interaction between human and natural systems, especially in the context of water–socioecological feedback mechanisms 💧🌍.

Profile

Orcid

Education 🎓

Xinxin Zhang pursued her postgraduate studies at the prestigious Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her academic journey is centered around urban and regional planning, with a strong emphasis on sustainable development practices. Throughout her education, she cultivated a multidisciplinary approach combining geography, urban studies, and environmental science to address contemporary societal challenges.

Experience 💼

With a strong academic foundation, Xinxin Zhang is engaged in cutting-edge research at the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology. She has been actively involved in the International Partnership Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences  (Project Code: 045GJHZ2024045FN), contributing to the understanding of socioecological dynamics in East Africa. Her experience spans cross-disciplinary collaborations and practical research applications focused on sustainable land use and water resource management 💧.

Research Interest 🔬

Driven by her commitment to sustainability, Xinxin Zhang’s research interests include urban and regional planning, sustainable land use management in both urban and rural contexts, and urban landscape geography. She is particularly passionate about analyzing the feedback relationships between water systems and socioecological environments, offering vital insights into the sustainable management of natural resources 🌿🌊.

Award 🏆

Xinxin Zhang’s scholarly contributions have earned her recognition in the field of sustainable geography. Her impactful research on the feedback relationship between water–socioecological systems in the Lake Victoria Basin has positioned her as a promising young scholar. She aspires to continue contributing to international scientific communities through awards like the Young Scientist Award or Best Research Scholar Award 🥇.

Publication 📚

“A Century of Water–Socioecological Dynamics and Evolutionary Stages in Lake Victoria Basin, East Africa” (2025, Land) Link here — Cited by 3 articles.

Conclusion

 Based on the submitted profile, Xinxin Zhang demonstrates promising research excellence with a strong academic foundation and relevant, impactful work in socioecological systems. For the Best Researcher Award, Zhang is a suitable candidate, especially at the postgraduate level. However, enhancing publication volume, industry engagement, professional memberships, and leadership roles will significantly strengthen future nominations.

Elica Guedes | Ecology and Phycology | Women Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elica Guedes | Ecology and Phycology | Women Researcher Award

Professor, Federal University Of Alagoas, Brazil 

Prof. Elica Amara Cecilia Guedes is a pioneering Brazilian scientist specializing in marine algae, with a rich academic history at the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL) 🌊🇧🇷. As a professor in the Department of Botany, she has contributed extensively to the taxonomy and biotechnology of algae, emphasizing the sustainable use of both micro and macroalgae in biotechnological applications 🌿🔬. Her career reflects a deep commitment to phycology and environmental sustainability.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Elica Guedes earned her Doctorate in Botany from the Federal University of Alagoas in 2011 🎓🌱. Her doctoral research focused on the innovative use and classification of marine algae, blending classic botanical science with modern biotechnological approaches 🧫. This strong academic foundation laid the groundwork for her long-standing dedication to marine phycology and applied algal research.

🧪 Experience

From 1983 to 2014, Prof. Guedes served as an Adjunct Doctor Professor in Botany at UFAL in Maceió 🌺. Her decades-long academic career was marked by teaching, mentoring, and spearheading marine algae projects. She played a central role in the scientific development of algal biotechnological applications in Brazil, contributing to both field studies and laboratory innovations 🌾🔍.

🔬 Research Interest

Her research interests lie at the intersection of taxonomy, marine algae, microalgae, and biotechnology 🧬🌿. She explores the potential of algae in bioenergy, environmental remediation, organic agriculture, and disease control. Through her work, she aims to promote sustainable alternatives to conventional methods using nature-based solutions like seaweeds and microalgal compounds 🌍⚗️.

🏆 Award & Distinctions

While specific awards were not listed, Prof. Guedes’s distinguished academic tenure and impactful research contributions, particularly in marine biotechnology and fungal monitoring, position her as a leading figure in Brazilian botanical sciences 🏅👩‍🔬. Her long-standing professorship and research leadership are testaments to her scientific legacy.

📚 Publications

Microbiota Fúngica em sistema de ar condicionado de automóveis (2024) – Revista Ouricuri 🦠
📖 Cited by: studies in air microbiota and public health.

Monitoring of Mycotoxigenic Fungi in Fish Farm Water and Fumonisins in Feeds for Farmed Colossoma macropomum (2023) – Toxics 🐟
📖 Cited by: research in aquaculture and water toxicology.

AVALIAÇÃO DO PROCESSO DE PRODUÇÃO DE MICROALGAS DO SEMIÁRIDO E LITORAL ALAGOANO VISANDO À PRODUÇÃO DE BIODIESEL (2017) – Revista Ouricuri 💧
📖 Cited by: biofuel production and microalgae development.

UTILIZAÇÃO DE “ALGAS ARRIBADAS” COMO ALTERNATIVA PARA ADUBAÇÃO ORGÂNICA EM CULTIVO DE MORINGA (2014) – Revista Ouricuri 🌱
📖 Cited by: studies in organic fertilizers and plant cultivation.

Larvicidal Activity against Aedes aegypti and Molluscicidal Activity against Biomphalaria glabrata of Brazilian Marine Algae (2014) – Journal of Parasitology Research 🦟
📖 Cited by: research on vector control and natural biocides.

Cytotoxic activity of marine algae against cancerous cells (2013) – Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia 🧪
📖 Cited by: oncology studies and marine pharmacognosy.

Antifungal Activities of Different Extracts of Marine Macroalgae Against Dermatophytes and Candida Species (2012) – Mycopathologia 🍄
📖 Cited by: antifungal treatment and natural compound studies.

🏁 Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Elica Amara Cecilia Guedes is a highly deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award. Her longstanding and impactful work in marine algal biotechnology and taxonomy exemplifies excellence in research, with applied outcomes that benefit both science and society. Her pioneering contributions as a woman in botanical and phycological sciences serve as an inspiration for future generations. With further documentation of recent leadership and innovation outcomes, her profile would stand even stronger.