Mrs. Marina J. Vergotti | Marine Sciences | Young Scientist Award

Marina J. Vergotti is a passionate Earth Sciences researcher with a particular focus on marine ecosystems and coral ecology. As a Ph.D. candidate at Freie Universität Berlin, she is exploring the effects of environmental change on the temperate coral Cladocora caespitosa. Her academic journey spans multiple prestigious institutions, where she has contributed significantly to understanding the resilience of marine organisms to climate change. Vergotti’s research is deeply connected to the broader themes of marine biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management, particularly regarding coral reefs and marine protected areas. Her ability to merge fieldwork with laboratory research highlights her interdisciplinary approach, integrating marine biology, ecology, and geosciences. She has participated in numerous international collaborations and projects, contributing to the global discourse on climate change’s effects on marine life.

Professional Profile

• Google Scholar Profile

Education

Vergotti holds an MSc in Oceanography and Marine Management from the University of Barcelona and a BSc in Biology (Biodiversity and Ecology) from the same institution. She further honed her skills through specialized courses in stable isotopes, oceanography, and marine management. Her educational background is complemented by various advanced training in ecological conservation methods for marine species, including sharks and cetaceans. These educational experiences laid a solid foundation for her current research on temperate coral reefs and climate change resilience.

Professional Experience

Vergotti’s professional experience includes her current position as a lecturer at Freie Universität Berlin, where she teaches graduate students in reef evolution and ecology. She has worked as a research assistant at various institutions, such as the University of Barcelona and the Smithsonian Institution, where she contributed to projects focused on coral ecology, marine biodiversity, and climate change. She has also gained practical experience through several field campaigns, collaborating with international research teams in Spain, Chile, and Germany. Her work has involved extensive field research, laboratory analysis, and supervision of undergraduate theses, establishing her as a versatile and highly skilled researcher.

Research Interests

Vergotti’s primary research interest revolves around the response of temperate corals, particularly Cladocora caespitosa, to environmental stressors like warming and acidification. She focuses on studying the variability in pH regulation, biomineralization, and the long-term effects of thermal stress on coral reefs. Her research also delves into sclerochronology, using coral skeletons to reconstruct past environmental conditions and assess coral health. Vergotti is deeply invested in understanding how climate change impacts marine ecosystems and the resilience mechanisms that may allow corals to survive under changing oceanic conditions. Her work aims to contribute to conservation efforts and sustainable management of marine resources.

Research Skills

Vergotti’s research skills are diverse and include proficiency in sclerochronological techniques, statistical analysis, and marine fieldwork. She is skilled in using Coral-XDS software for X-ray analyses, which allows her to study coral growth and calcification rates. She has a solid background in ecological modeling and statistical tools, with experience in R Studio, ImageJ, and Excel for data analysis. Vergotti’s fieldwork expertise includes scuba diving, marine sampling, and underwater observation, having participated in numerous field campaigns. Her ability to merge laboratory-based research with real-world fieldwork is one of her standout skills, allowing her to gather valuable data that informs her studies on coral resilience to environmental change.

Awards and Honors

Vergotti’s academic excellence has been recognized through her involvement in several prestigious research projects, such as the European Union Horizon 2020 project MaCoBioS, which focuses on coastal ecosystems in a changing world. She has contributed to various collaborative projects, including the UndResCoral project, which investigates the biotic and abiotic factors affecting coral resilience. Although not explicitly listed with specific awards, Vergotti’s research contributions to marine science and climate change resilience have garnered significant recognition in the scientific community. Her participation in international conferences and workshops further underscores her commitment to advancing the field of marine ecology and conservation.