CIIMAR’s PhD Students’ Committee hosted the fifth Blue Think Conference on September 10th and 11th
The Blue Think Conference (BTC) continues to serve as a space for connecting the next generation of scientists at CIIMAR. Focusing on sharing knowledge in an informal yet dynamic setting, it offers students and early-career researchers a unique platform to highlight their work and engage with peers.
Keynote speakers included Davide Degli Esposti, Research Scientist at the French National Institute of Agriculture, Nutrition and Environment (INRAE); Pedro Cunha from Stingray Marine Solutions; and João Varela, Associate Professor of Biotechnology at the University of Algarve (UALG) and founding member of CCMAR. Additionally, CIIMAR’s associated psychologist, Rita Torres, joined the conference to discuss mental wellness and its importance within the scientific community.
The conference also highlighted the work of its participants, with awards given out for the different thematic areas of CIIMAR. In the Global Changes and Ecosystem Services thematic line, Francisco Pascoal won the award for best oral presentation, and Marta Martins was recognized with the best poster award. For the Biology, Aquaculture, and Seafood Quality thematic line, Nádia Silva was awarded best oral presentation, while Bárbara Ferreira received the best poster award. In the Marine Biotechnology thematic line, Anne Liong took the award for best oral presentation, and Margarida Pereira was honored with the best poster award. Additionally, Sofia Correia was awarded the NZYtech Award.
For the PhD Committee, the success of the BTC2024 “was built on two key aspects: first, the development of skills rarely exercised in our daily routines, particularly those related to event organization, problem-solving under pressure, and adapting to unscripted public speaking. Second, and equally important, the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and forge new connections across CIIMAR’s diverse research groups, fostering collaboration and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together.”
