Scholars
Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography
José Manuel Echevarría Rubio is a Ph.D. student at the Interdisciplinary Center of Marine Sciences in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Their research focuses on the dynamics of Sargassum spp. in the Equatorial Atlantic and Caribbean Sea, investigating the environmental factors driving its proliferation. By integrating remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and ocean data modeling, their work aims to offer insights into the spread of this pelagic macroalgae, which has significant ecological, social, and economic impacts in coastal regions. As part of José’s master’s research, he uses satellite imagery and machine learning to classify and monitor Sargassum spp. in the Caribbean Sea, which deepened his interest in applying innovative technologies to marine science.
José Manuel Echevarría Rubio is a PhD. student at the Interdisciplinary Center of Marine Sciences in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Their research focuses on the dynamics of Sargassum spp. in the Equatorial Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.
Ana Júlia Alves de Lima is a master’s student in the biological oceanography program at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande in Brazil. She completed her undergraduate degree in oceanology at the same institution in 2022. Her research focuses on the accidental capture of elasmobranchs in two different fisheries. Although Ana Júlia’s work primarily takes an ecological approach, during her master’s studies she realized the importance of integrating sociological perspectives and she feels strongly that collaborating with fishermen is key to understanding sustainable fishing practices and achieving meaningful conservation goals.
Ana Júlia Alves de Lima is a master’s student in the biological oceanography program at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande in Brazil. Their research focuses on the accidental capture of elasmobranchs in two different fisheries.
Dr. Ndague Diogoul is a researcher specializing in pelagic fish stock assessment at the Oceanographic Research Center of Dakar Thiaroye, part of the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research in Dakar, Senegal. She obtained her Ph.D. in environmental sciences from Cheikh Anta Diop University in 2021, focusing her doctoral research on the pelagic structuring of the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem using advanced fisheries acoustic approaches. With expertise spanning marine fisheries acoustics, pelagic ecosystems, and oceanography, Dr. Diogoul's research primarily focuses on the structure and functioning of the pelagic ecosystem in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem. Her innovative use of acoustic methods significantly contributes to the understanding of marine ecosystems and the sustainable management of marine resources in West African waters.
Dr. Ndague Diogoul is a researcher specializing in pelagic fish stock assessment at the Oceanographic Research Center of Dakar Thiaroye, part of the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research in Dakar, Senegal.
Obed Omane Okyere is a marine scientist with an interest in coastal and marine studies, especially related to near-shore processes and their social implications on humans. Obed completed his B.Sc. at the University of Ghana, majoring in marine science. During this time, he developed a keen interest in understanding the complex dynamics of interactions between human activity and coastal environments. Building on this foundation, Obed pursued further studies at the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana. During his masters’ studies, he cultivated a deep curiosity about the pressing issue of coastal hazards and their associated impacts on local communities.
Obed Omane Okyere is a marine scientist with an interest in coastal and marine studies, especially related to near-shore processes and their social implications on humans. Obed completed his masters’ studies at the University of Ghana.
Dr. Esraa AbouElmaaty is a researcher at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Egypt. Their M.Sc. and Ph.D. research focused on marine invertebrates, including biological and molecular studies of marine invertebrates, particularly sea urchins and clams, with expertise in spawning techniques and larval rearing. They are now focused on marine conservation, especially marine invertebrate restoration programs. Dr. AbouElmaaty is also involved in a conservation program for the Great Fringing Reef in the Red Sea and restoration programs led by the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association, with the aim of promoting and enhancing reef resilience following a bleaching event and supporting the restoration of the Tridacna clam population in the Red Sea.
Dr. Esraa AbouElmaaty is a researcher at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Egypt. Their research focuses on marine conservation, especially marine invertebrate restoration programs.
Dennis Otieno holds an M.Sc. in fisheries and aquaculture from the Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya, where he focused on marine fisheries ecology. He also completed his bachelor’s degree in applied aquatic science at Egerton University. His research interests include ocean governance, fisheries oceanography, remote sensing, and climate change. Dennis is committed to advancing the application of fisheries oceanography to better understand the dynamics of marine ecosystems, particularly in relation to the challenges posed by climate change. His work aims to contribute to sustainable fisheries management, strengthen coastal resilience, and leverage innovative ocean observation technologies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.
Dennis Otieno holds an M.Sc. in fisheries and aquaculture from the Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya. His research interests include ocean governance, fisheries oceanography, remote sensing, and climate change.
Punya Puthukulangara is a Ph.D. scholar in the department of earth and space sciences at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology in India. Her research focuses on satellite data usage in marine ecosystem monitoring, specifically in the context of climate change impacts on algal bloom dynamics. In 2020, Punya completed an integrated B.Sc.-M.Sc. program in climate change adaptation at the Kerala Agricultural University in India. Her master’s thesis focused on the impact of extreme climatic events on marine fisheries.
Punya Puthukulangara is a PhD scholar in the department of earth and space sciences at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology in India. Her research focuses on satellite data usage in marine ecosystem monitoring.
Md. Shahadat Hossain is an early career oceanographer with a particular interest in interdisciplinary research approaches. Shahadat completed a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in oceanography at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet, Bangladesh. His research focuses on improving our understanding of regional-scale oceanographic processes, bio-physical interaction, and climate change through an interdisciplinary lens. Shahadat’s core competencies include numerical modelling, population dynamics, and time series ecological and geospatial data analysis. He has participated in several field trips to collect in-situ oceanographic data in the coastal area of Bangladesh, and he has interviewed more than 350+ stakeholders, conducted several workshops, and trained coastal communities on ocean literacy.
Md. Shahadat Hossain completed an M.Sc. in oceanography at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Their research focuses on improving our understanding of regional-scale oceanographic processes, bio-physical interaction, and climate change.
Maryjune Cabiguin, M.Sc. is a researcher affiliated with the Marine Science Institute at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Maryjune completed an M.Sc. in marine science in 2023, majoring in marine biology. She is particularly interested in invasive ecology, and invertebrate and coral reef ecology.
Maryjune Cabiguin, M.Sc. is a researcher affiliated with the Marine Science Institute at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Her research focuses on invasive ecology and invertebrate and coral reef ecology.
Ni Putu Asri Ratna Suhita is a master’s student in the department of marine science and technology at IPB University. In 2021, she completed a B.Sc. at the same institution, majoring in marine science. Her research focuses on marine remote sensing and GIS, marine science, and fisheries oceanography.
Ni Putu Asri Ratna Suhita is a master’s student in the department of marine science and technology at IPB University. Her research focuses on marine remote sensing and GIS, marine science, and fisheries oceanography.
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