Amarachi Paschaline Onyena | Biodiversity And Conservation | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Amarachi Paschaline Onyena | Biodiversity And Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer | Nigeria Maritime University | Nigeria

Dr. Amarachi Paschaline Onyena’s research spans marine biology and aquatic environmental science, with a core focus on water sediment quality assessment, benthic macroinvertebrate ecology, ecotoxicology, molecular characterization, and environmental risk evaluation. Her work examines how pollutants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and microplastics influence aquatic ecosystems, using integrated approaches that combine biomonitoring tools, molecular techniques, and analytical assessments to understand contamination pathways, ecological stress responses, and indicators of ecosystem degradation. She contributes extensive research on mangrove ecosystem dynamics, sediment biogeochemistry, and the role of macrobenthic communities as sensitive bioindicators of environmental change. Through field investigations, experimental analyses, and systematic reviews across diverse Nigerian aquatic environments, she provides evidence-based insights for pollution mitigation, microplastic monitoring, and sustainable aquatic resource governance. Her involvement in environmental risk assessments, consultancy-based evaluations, and collaborative marine studies supports policy development for coastal sustainability and blue-economy advancement. Contributions to global platforms, including work for the United Nations World Ocean Assessment, reflect her commitment to translating scientific findings into practical frameworks for ocean governance. With 590 citations, 29 indexed documents, and an h-index of 12, her growing research impact highlights her role in advancing marine pollution science, improving environmental monitoring frameworks, and promoting evidence-based strategies for resilient coastal and marine ecosystems.

Profiles : Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publication

Onyena, A. P., & Sam, K. (2020). A review of the threat of oil exploitation to mangrove ecosystem: Insights from Niger Delta, Nigeria. Global Ecology and Conservation, 22, e00961.

Onyena, A. P., Aniche, D. C., Ogbolu, B. O., Rakib, M. R. J., Uddin, J., & Walker, T. R. (2021). Governance strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution in the marine environment: A review. Microplastics, 1(1), 15–46.

Rakib, M. R. J., Rahman, M. A., Onyena, A. P., Kumar, R., Sarker, A., Hossain, M. B., … (2022). A comprehensive review of heavy metal pollution in the coastal areas of Bangladesh: Abundance, bioaccumulation, health implications, and challenges. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(45), 67532–67558.

Chris, D. I., Onyena, A. P., & Sam, K. (2023). Evaluation of human health and ecological risk of heavy metals in water, sediment and shellfishes in typical artisanal oil mining areas of Nigeria. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(33), 80055–80069.

Sam, K., Onyena, A. P., Zabbey, N., Odoh, C. K., Nwipie, G. N., Nkeeh, D. K., Osuji, L. C., … (2023). Prospects of emerging PAH sources and remediation technologies: Insights from Africa. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(14), 39451–39473.

The nominee’s work advances environmental sustainability by providing evidence-based insights into pollution risks affecting coastal and marine ecosystems. Their research supports stronger policies, healthier communities, and long-term ecosystem resilience.

Estelle Crochelet | Biodiversity and conservation | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Estelle Crochelet | Biodiversity and conservation | Best Researcher Award 

Scientific Director | University of Reunion Island | Reunion 

Dr. Estelle Crochelet’s research focuses on marine ecology, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management of tropical and island ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean. As a Marine Ecologist at the Biodiversity Research Agency of Réunion Island (ARBRE), she integrates field ecology, molecular analysis, and spatial modeling to study coral reef systems, mesophotic ecosystems, and species connectivity. Her pioneering application of environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques has transformed biodiversity monitoring by enabling the detection of rare and cryptic species such as sharks and rays, advancing ecosystem-based management and conservation planning. Through leadership roles in major initiatives including the IRRAE, MAEO, and CONCILIER programs, Dr. Crochelet has contributed to integrated coral reef management, linking ecological research with territorial planning and policy implementation. Her interdisciplinary work, combining marine biology, remote sensing, and ecological modeling, has generated valuable insights into habitat connectivity, reef resilience, and marine spatial planning. Collaborating with organizations such as IUCN, IRD, and the French Biodiversity Office, she has played a vital role in shaping regional conservation strategies and advancing scientific understanding of marine ecosystems. Widely published in prestigious journals such as Nature, Science, Environmental DNA, and Deep Sea Research, Dr. Crochelet’s work has global relevance, addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate impacts on marine environments. Alongside her scientific achievements, she mentors emerging researchers, leads citizen science initiatives, and promotes public awareness of ocean conservation. A certified professional diver, rebreather user, and drone pilot, she combines technical field expertise with innovative research approaches, making significant contributions to sustainable marine governance and biodiversity preservation in the Southwestern Indian Ocean.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

Crochelet, E., Desbonnes, O., Inçaby, L., Nazurally, N., Stevens, G., van Beuningen, D., Gadenne, J., Morand, G., Bertrand, G., & Nikolic, N. (2025). Biodiversity and conservation of elasmobranchs in the Mascarene Islands: Policy implementation and protection strategies. Ocean & Coastal Management, 262, 107921.

Crochelet, E., Barrier, N., Andrello, M., Marsac, F., Spadone, A., & Lett, C. (2020). Connectivity between seamounts and coastal ecosystems in the Southwestern Indian Ocean. Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 180, 104774.

Bourjon, P., Crochelet, E., & Fricke, R. (2019). First record of the large caerulean damselfish, Pomacentrus caeruleopunctatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Pomacentridae), from Réunion Island, southwest Indian Ocean. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, 49(3), 293–297.

Queiroz, N., Humphries, N. E., Couto, A., Vedor, M., da Costa, I., Sequeira, A. M. M., Mucientes, G., Santos, A. M., Abascal, F. J., Abercrombie, D. L., et al. (2019). Global spatial risk assessment of sharks under the footprint of fisheries. Nature, 572(7770), 461–466.

Soria, M., Heithaus, M. R., Blaison, A., Crochelet, E., Forget, F., & Chabanet, P. (2019). Residency and spatial distribution of bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas in and around Réunion Island marine protected area. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 626, 85–97.

Dr. Estelle Crochelet’s research advances global marine conservation through innovative studies on elasmobranch ecology, connectivity, and policy implementation across the Mascarene and Western Indian Ocean. Her work bridges ecological modeling, spatial management, and biodiversity protection—informing sustainable fisheries, strengthening marine protected areas, and shaping evidence-based conservation strategies that safeguard ocean ecosystems and coastal livelihoods worldwide.

Marília Marques da Silva | Biodiversity | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Marília Marques da Silva | Biodiversity | Best Researcher Award

PhD Student at Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Brazil

Marília Marques da Silva is a dedicated and dynamic early-career researcher whose scholarly contributions to mesocarnivore ecology are both scientifically relevant and socially impactful. Her ability to integrate field ecology, statistical modeling, and conservation planning demonstrates the hallmarks of a future leader in biodiversity research. Her academic trajectory is grounded in excellence, with clear upward momentum evidenced by her international experiences and collaborations. While she is still building her publication record, the quality and focus of her work signal strong potential for impactful future contributions.

Professional Profiles

ORCID Profile | Google Scholar

Education

Marília Marques da Silva holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). She earned her Master’s degree in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation from the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), where she is currently pursuing her PhD in the same field. Her academic journey includes enriching international experiences through research internships at the Universidad de Málaga (Spain) during her undergraduate studies and at CIBIO – Universidade do Porto (Portugal) during her Master’s. Additionally, she has obtained an MBA in Project Management, demonstrating a strong interdisciplinary background that bridges science and strategic planning.

Experience

Marília has developed extensive field and analytical experience through her work on in situ and ex situ conservation projects, particularly focused on Neotropical mammals. Her Master’s research analyzed how environmental and anthropogenic variables influence mesocarnivore occupancy in the Atlantic Forest, while her PhD expands on this by examining coexistence mechanisms in forested landscapes. She has also participated in consultancy projects, including wildlife monitoring and rescue operations, in collaboration with environmental firms. These diverse roles have strengthened her expertise in fieldwork coordination, species monitoring, and ecological data analysis.

Award and Honor

While formal awards are not listed yet, Marília’s contributions have been recognized through research publications, including a peer-reviewed article in Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation (Elsevier/Scopus). She has published a book chapter based on her ecological fieldwork and is actively engaged in international collaborations with institutions in Europe and Brazil, including IPE, CENAP, and Pro-Carnívoros. Her growing academic visibility and research outputs highlight her as a promising early-career scientist in the field of tropical mammal conservation.

Research Focus

Marília’s research centers on the ecology and conservation of Neotropical meso- and large mammals, particularly in human-modified landscapes. Her work investigates the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on mammalian distribution and behavior, using occupancy models, camera trap data, and ecological theory to inform conservation efforts. By exploring species interactions, resource use, and habitat partitioning, she aims to propose effective strategies that reconcile biodiversity preservation with sustainable development in threatened ecosystems like the Atlantic Forest.

Research Skill

Marília combines technical and soft skills that enhance her contribution to ecological research and conservation. Her competencies include field survey design, camera trapping, biodiversity monitoring, occupancy modeling, and spatial ecology. She is skilled in data analysis using statistical software and in managing collaborative research projects. Her academic foundation is supported by project management skills gained through her MBA. She also communicates effectively in multilingual environments, and her ability to work across international teams further enriches her professional profile.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Heterogeneity in mesocarnivore occupancy highlights the complexity of biodiversity changes in a threatened ecoregion
Authors: M. Marques, M. Magioli, P. Monterroso, G. Curveira-Santos, C.R. Cassano
Journal: Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation
Year: 2025

Conclusion

Natalia Abramson | Phylogenetics | Zoology Honour Awards

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Dr. Natalia Abramson | phylogenetics | Zoology Honour Awards

Leading Researcher at Zoological Institute RAS, Russia

Natalia I. Abramson (b. December 8, 1957, Leningrad) is a distinguished evolutionary biologist and geneticist. With a PhD in Biological Sciences, she has been a pivotal figure at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ZIN RAS) for over three decades. She currently leads the Laboratory of Evolutionary Genomics and Paleogenomics in Saint Petersburg. Abramson is recognized for her extensive research in mammalian systematics, molecular phylogeny, and the evolutionary history of rodents. Her fieldwork spans the Arctic tundra, Kamchatka, Yakutia, and the South Ural regions. She is an active member of the Theriological Society RAS and the Vavilov Society of Genetics. A former lecturer at Saint Petersburg University, she has contributed to advancing molecular systematics through education, editorial roles, and international collaboration. 🧫🌍🧪

Professional Profiles📖

Google Scholar

ORCID 

🎓 Education 

Natalia Abramson graduated from Leningrad State University’s Faculty of Biology in 1982. She pursued postgraduate research at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences from 1983 to 1986. In 1989, she defended her PhD thesis titled “True lemmings (Lemmini, Cricetidae, Rodentia): systematic position and evolution.” This work laid the foundation for her future contributions to rodent systematics and phylogeny. Her academic training combined classical zoological approaches with emerging molecular tools, giving her a unique edge in integrating traditional taxonomy with DNA-based analysis. 🎓🔬📚

🏗 Experience 

Natalia Abramson has had a long and progressive career at ZIN RAS, Saint Petersburg. Since 1989, she has held multiple roles: researcher, senior researcher, and currently leading researcher. Between 2004–2018, she led molecular systematics teams within the Theriology Lab. From 2018 to 2021, she led a group focused on mammalian molecular systematics, and since 2021 she has headed the Laboratory of Evolutionary Genomics and Paleogenomics. Her leadership has advanced rodent phylogeny research in Russia and globally. She has also lectured on molecular systematics at Saint Petersburg University from 2011 to 2015. 🧪🔍🧬

🏆 Awards & Honors 

Although specific awards are not listed, Natalia Abramson’s consistent leadership of national research grants such as RFBR and RSF, as well as her prominent role in key evolutionary projects, reflects her respected status in the Russian and international scientific community. Her participation in international journals, society memberships, and successful direction of major research projects underscores the academic esteem she commands. She has influenced the field of mammalian phylogenetics through decades of pioneering work. 🏆🧠📖

🔬 Research Focus

Abramson’s research spans evolutionary genomics, paleogenomics, molecular systematics, and phylogeography. She explores speciation, adaptation mechanisms, colonization history, and taxonomy of rodents, especially the subfamily Arvicolinae. Using both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, her work integrates paleontology, morphology, and molecular genetics to reconstruct mammalian evolutionary pathways. She is also active in decoding ancient DNA from museum specimens and inferring the evolutionary responses of species to climate change and habitat shifts. 🧬🌐🦠

🛠 Skills 

Natalia I. Abramson possesses a diverse and highly specialized skill set that bridges classical zoology with cutting-edge genomic science. Her expertise spans molecular phylogenetics and systematics, including both ancient and modern DNA sequencing techniques, which she applies to uncover evolutionary patterns in mammals, especially rodents of the subfamily Arvicolinae. She is proficient in museum specimen analysis and adept at integrating genomic, morphological, and paleontological data to resolve complex taxonomic questions. Her field experience in Arctic and steppe ecosystems enriches her research with valuable ecological context. In addition to her scientific acumen, Abramson excels in project leadership, academic writing, and teaching, having mentored students and contributed to science communication across disciplines. Her work exemplifies a multidisciplinary approach, blending evolutionary genomics and paleogenomics to illuminate the evolutionary history of Eurasian mammal lineages.

Publications Top Notes📚

 Synchronous genetic turnovers across Western Eurasia in Late Pleistocene collared lemmings

📅 Year: 2016

🔢 Citations: 69

🌐 Source: Europe PubMed Central

🔗 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13214

PMID: 26919067

 Evolutionary Genomics and Conservation of the Endangered Przewalski’s Horse

📅 Year: 2015

🔢 Citations: 240

🌐 Source: Europe PubMed Central

🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.08.032PMID: 26412128

 On the origin of the Norwegian lemming

📅 Year: 2014

🔢 Citations: 49

🌐 Source: Europe PubMed Central

🔗 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12698

PMID: 24661631

 Supraspecies relationships in the subfamily Arvicolinae (Rodentia, Cricetidae): unexpected result of nuclear gene analysis

📅 Year: 2009

🔢 Citations: 91

🌐 Source: Europe PubMed Central

PMID: 19899636

 Molecular phylogeny of the genus Alticola (Cricetidae, Rodentia) as inferred from the sequence of the cytochrome b gene

📅 Year: 2007

🔢 Citations: 95

🌐 Source: Europe

PubMed Central