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.

Anna Vatsanidou | Environmental Assessment | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Anna Vatsanidou | Environmental Assessment | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens | Greece

Dr. Anna Vatsanidou is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Agricultural Development, Agri-Food and Natural Resources Management, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). She is an accomplished agriculturist with extensive expertise in precision and sustainable agriculture, environmental impact assessment, and life cycle analysis of agri-food systems. Her academic path and professional journey reflect a strong commitment to advancing agri-food sustainability and contributing to innovative solutions for global agricultural challenges.

Professional Profiles

ORCID | Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Vatsanidou holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Agricultural Production Systems and a Doctorate in Environmental Assessment from the Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment at the University of Thessaly. Her doctoral research laid the foundation for her specialized expertise in evaluating environmental impacts within agricultural and food production systems. During this period, she gained a deep understanding of sustainable agricultural practices, system optimization, and the application of environmental models to assess agricultural inputs and outputs. Her multidisciplinary training combines agronomy, environmental sciences, and technological innovation, equipping her with the tools to address complex challenges in modern agriculture.

Experience

Dr. Vatsanidou has developed a distinguished career spanning academia, research institutes, and both public and private organizations. She began as an agronomist in public agencies, gaining valuable experience in agricultural systems and their operational challenges. Expanding into the private sector, she focused on applied agricultural practices and project implementation. At the Benaki Phytopathological Institute, she served as project manager, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and advancing research outcomes into practical strategies. Her academic pathway includes serving as a PhD Researcher at CERTH’s Institute of Bio-Economics and Agrotechnology, specializing in environmental impact assessment. She has also collaborated as an external fellow with the Agricultural University of Athens and the University of Thessaly. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at NKUA, teaching, mentoring, and leading projects in precision agriculture and sustainability.

Research Focus

Dr. Vatsanidou’s research is centered on the evaluation and development of precision agricultural techniques, environmental footprint analysis, and sustainable production systems. A core component of her work is the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental impacts across the agri-food chain, from primary production to processing. Her studies address key challenges in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable resource management, and environmental protection, with an emphasis on balancing productivity with ecological sustainability. She has made significant contributions to precision farming technologies for crop protection, environmental assessment of emission reduction technologies, and the integration of innovative tools such as imaging recognition and digital algorithms in agriculture. Her research supports the global transition towards agriculture 4.0 and 5.0 by incorporating digitalization, automation, and sustainable practices into farming systems.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Freshness Prediction for Apples & Lettuces
Authors: Chrysanthos Maraveas; George Kalitsios; Marianna I. Kotzabasaki; Dimitrios V. Giannopoulos; Kosmas Dimitropoulos; Anna Vatsanidou
Summary: Presents a mobile app that combines imaging recognition with advanced algorithms to predict fruit and vegetable freshness in real time. The tool helps reduce food waste and ensures better quality monitoring along the supply chain.

Title: Life Cycle Assessment of Insect vs. Conventional Feed
Authors: Anna Vatsanidou; Styliani Konstantinidi; Eleftherios Bonos; Ioannis Skoufos
Summary: Compares the environmental impact of conventional and insect-based protein feeds using life cycle assessment (LCA). Findings highlight insect-based proteins as a sustainable alternative for animal production.

Title: Biopolymer Nanopesticides for Degradation
Authors: Chrysanthos Maraveas; Giasemi K. Angeli; Anna Vatsanidou; Marianna I. Kotzabasaki
Summary: Reviews the design of biopolymer-based nanopesticides aimed at improving pesticide degradation. Emphasizes eco-friendly nanotechnology solutions to enhance crop protection while reducing environmental risks.

Title: Cybersecurity in Agriculture 4.0 & 5.0
Authors: Chrysanthos Maraveas; Muttukrishnan Rajarajan; Konstantinos G. Arvanitis; Anna Vatsanidou
Summary: Analyzes cybersecurity challenges in digital agriculture, covering precision farming and smart technologies. Proposes risk mitigation measures to protect agricultural data, devices, and infrastructures.

Title: Emission Reduction in Livestock Systems
Authors: Vasileios Anestis; Anna Vatsanidou; Thomas Bartzanas
Summary: Examines emission reduction strategies in livestock systems. Evaluates their effectiveness, environmental benefits, and potential adoption, supporting sustainable practices in animal production.

Conclusion

Dr. Anna Vatsanidou is an innovative and impactful researcher whose work bridges the fields of agriculture, environmental science, and digital technology. Her commitment to sustainability, leadership in major international projects, and contributions to both academic scholarship and practical applications mark her as an outstanding candidate for recognition. Through her teaching, research, and collaborations, she continues to advance sustainable agricultural development while shaping the next generation of agricultural scientists. Her work exemplifies excellence in addressing the pressing challenges of food security, environmental stewardship, and technological innovation in the agri-food sector.

Xiaoguang Ouyang | Mangrove Ecology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Xiaoguang Ouyang | Mangrove Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Research Institute at Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), China 

Dr. Xiaoguang Ouyang is an Associate Professor and Principal Investigator at the College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University. He specializes in mangrove ecology and blue carbon, with a strong interdisciplinary background that spans ecology, biogeochemistry, and environmental science. Dr. Ouyang’s research focuses on understanding the ecological functions and carbon sequestration potential of coastal wetlands, particularly mangrove ecosystems, in the context of global climate change and ecosystem management.

Professional Profiles📖

Google Scholar 

ORCID 

🎓 Education

Dr. Ouyang earned his Ph.D. in Ecology from the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2018. He previously received an M.S. in Hydrobiology from Jinan University in 2014 and a B.S. in Biology from Jiangxi Normal University in 2011. His academic training has provided a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied environmental sciences.

🧪 Experience

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Ouyang joined Xiamen University as a postdoctoral researcher, later advancing to Assistant Professor and currently serving as Associate Professor. In these capacities, he has led numerous national and international research initiatives, supervised graduate students, and contributed to the development of advanced methodologies in blue carbon assessment, ecosystem modeling, and wetland restoration.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Ouyang has received several prestigious accolades in recognition of his research excellence. These include the National Scholarship for Ph.D. Students from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2016 and the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award from Jinan University in 2014. These honors reflect his academic rigor and significant contributions to environmental science.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Ouyang’s primary research interests lie in the dynamics of blue carbon in coastal wetlands, especially mangroves. His work explores mangrove restoration, carbon sequestration, biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen, and the application of ecological modeling. He is particularly engaged in climate change mitigation strategies through nature-based solutions and sustainable ecosystem management.

🛠️  Research Skills

He is proficient in a range of ecological and environmental tools, including InVEST and SWAT for modeling, and R and Python for statistical analysis. His expertise also covers remote sensing, GIS applications, field monitoring technologies, scientific writing, and research project management, enabling him to tackle complex environmental challenges with a multidisciplinary approach.

Publications Top Notes📚

Updated estimates of carbon accumulation rates in coastal marsh sediments
X. Ouyang, S.Y. Lee
Biogeosciences, 2014 — 369 citations

Improved estimates on global carbon stock and carbon pools in tidal wetlands
X. Ouyang, S.Y. Lee
Nature Communications, 2020 — 227 citations

Mangroves give cause for conservation optimism, for now
D.A. Friess, E.S. Yando, G.M.O. Abuchahla, J.B. Adams, S. Cannicci, …
Current Biology, 2020 — 213 citations

The role of root decomposition in global mangrove and saltmarsh carbon budgets
X. Ouyang, S.Y. Lee, R.M. Connolly
Earth-Science Reviews, 2017 — 146 citations

Paradigms of mangroves in treatment of anthropogenic wastewater pollution
X. Ouyang, F. Guo
Science of the Total Environment, 2016 — 119 citations

Fate and effects of macro- and microplastics in coastal wetlands
X. Ouyang, C. Duarte, S.G. Cheung, N.F.Y. Tam, S. Cannicci, C. Martin, H.S. Lo, …
Environmental Science & Technology, 2022 — 109 citations

Feeding strategies for the acquisition of high‐quality food sources in stream macroinvertebrates
F. Guo, S.E. Bunn, M.T. Brett, B. Fry, H. Hager, X. Ouyang, M.J. Kainz
Limnology and Oceanography, 2018 — 88 citations

Integrated fuzzy AHP with MDS in selecting natural wastewater treatment alternatives
X. Ouyang, F. Guo, D. Shan, H. Yu, J. Wang
Ecological Engineering, 2015 — 78 citations

Structural equation modeling reveals factors regulating surface sediment OC and CO₂ efflux
X. Ouyang, S.Y. Lee, R.M. Connolly
Science of the Total Environment, 2017 — 64 citations

Spatially-explicit valuation of coastal wetlands for cyclone mitigation
X. Ouyang, S.Y. Lee, R.M. Connolly, M.J. Kainz
Scientific Reports, 2018 — 53 citations

Effect of nitrate addition on transformation of pentachlorophenol in paddy soil
H.Y. Yu, Y. Wang, P.C. Chen, F. Li, M. Chen, M. Hu, X. Ouyang
Journal of Environmental Management, 2014 — 52 citations

Lipid biomarkers from aquatic environments reflect paleoclimate change
X. Ouyang, F. Guo, H. Bu
Quaternary Science Reviews, 2015 — 46 citations

Carbon accumulation rates in salt marsh sediments suggest high carbon storage
X. Ouyang, S.Y. Lee
Biogeosciences Discussions, 2013 — 38 citations

Intuitionistic fuzzy AHP for selecting paradigms of mangrove wastewater treatment
X. Ouyang, F. Guo
Chemosphere, 2018 — 37 citations

Conceptualizing ecosystem degradation using mangrove forests
E.S. Yando, T.M. Sloey, F. Dahdouh-Guebas, K. Rogers, G.M.O. Abuchahla, …
Biological Conservation, 2021 — 35 citations

Response of macrophyte litter decomposition in blue carbon ecosystems to climate change
X. Ouyang, E. Kristensen, M. Zimmer, C. Thornber, Z. Yang, S.Y. Lee
Global Change Biology, 2023 — 31 citations

Basal resources of river food webs affect fatty acid profiles of freshwater fish
F. Guo, N. Ebm, B. Fry, S.E. Bunn, M.T. Brett, X. Ouyang, H. Hager, M.J. Kainz
Science of the Total Environment, 2022 — 29 citations

Impact of super-typhoon Mangkhut on sediment nutrient dynamics in mangroves
X. Ouyang, F. Guo, S.Y. Lee
Science of the Total Environment, 2021 — 21 citations

✅ Conclusion 

Dr. Xiaoguang Ouyang is an exemplary candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” His research has made substantial and sustained contributions to the understanding of blue carbon ecosystems and environmental sustainability. He combines scientific rigor with applied relevance and interdisciplinary breadth. While he could enhance his global policy and public engagement presence, his academic excellence, innovation, and leadership make him a compelling and highly deserving nominee for this honor.