Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR)
Rita Costa Abecasis serves as the Head of the Science Communication Unit at the Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR) since September 2017, overseeing strategic communication and activities related to the EMBRC in Portugal. Prior experience includes roles as a Communications Specialist for the Task Force for the Extension of the Continental Shelf, where Rita contributed to the development of a geoportal for marine information, and as a Project Officer and Communications Specialist at INOVISA / SKAN Platform, focusing on knowledge sharing in the agrifood sector. Rita's academic background includes a PhD in Natural Resources Management and Policy from The University of Western Australia, a Master of Science in Marine and Coastal Studies from Universidade do Algarve, and a five-year honour degree in Marine Biology from the University of Lisbon.
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Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR)
The Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR) is a non-profit organization located on the Gambelas campus of the University of Algarve and dedicated to R&D in the Marine Sciences. On the basis of international evaluation and excellence ranking it was awarded the status of Associate Laboratory together with CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research). It has 200 people on its staff, 80 of which hold a PhD degree. CCMAR fields of expertise cover molecular biology, genetics, endocrinology, biophysics, organic chemistry and ecology of marine organisms. R&D and training activities have been applied to the development of aquaculture, biotechnology and environmental technologies for the study and management of marine resources and ecosystems. The main funding sources have been the Foundation for Science and Technology, the European Commission, FEDER, the Innovation Agency, S.A., public agencies and private companies, generating 550 peer-reviewed papers in SCI-indexed journals in the last 5 years. CCMAR plays an active role in the dissemination of marine sciences and best practices in schools as well as fish- and shellfish-dependent local communities with more than 200 seminars, workshops, meetings and courses as well as participation in science and R&D fairs. CCMAR features well equipped facilities for investigating marine biological systems at various levels, from biochemistry and molecular biology through genetics, physiology, behavior, ecology and oceanography. Easy access to the unique and extensive mudflats and ponds of Ria Formosa and coastal areas facilitate in situ studies. The Ramalhete Marine Station is a versatile infrastructure with tanks to keep to keep live organisms and outdoor mesocosms. CCMAR serves as infrastructure for students and scientists from universities and institutes throughout Europe and is part of European initiatives providing user access to special facilities and biological models such as Assemble and EMBRC.