Krzysztof Podwysocki | Biological Invasions | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Krzysztof Podwysocki | Biological Invasions | Young Scientist Award 

State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre | Lithuania

Dr. Krzysztof Podwysocki is a biologist specializing in invasion ecology, trophic ecology, and crustacean biology, with a strong research focus on understanding the mechanisms that drive the success of invasive aquatic species. He earned his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Lodz, Poland, in 2025, where his doctoral work investigated the invasion potential of genetically distinct populations of Dikerogammarus villosus, one of Europe’s most impactful invasive amphipods. Currently based at the Nature Research Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania, he leads the project “Exoskeleton strength as a predictor of interspecific aggression and predation survivability in invasive and native amphipods,” exploring the biomechanical and ecological traits that determine competitive dominance and survival in aquatic ecosystems. His research integrates experimental ecology, functional morphology, and biogeography to examine species interactions, dispersal capacities, and environmental adaptability. Dr. Podwysocki has completed a national project on the morphological and chemical variation of D. villosus mouthparts in relation to diet and invasion history, providing key insights into how feeding morphology underpins ecological success. His collaborative experience includes international research initiatives, such as an FAO-funded project in Ghana assessing decapod diversity, and partnerships with the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun on behavioral and physiological studies of invasive amphipods. His work bridges fundamental and applied invasion biology, contributing to predictive models that inform biodiversity conservation and invasive species management. To date, he has published six research papers in SCI and Scopus-indexed journals, accumulating 12 citations with an h-index of 2, reflecting the growing impact of his contributions to aquatic invasion ecology. His innovative approach linking biomechanics, population genetics, and ecological performance offers new perspectives on how structural and physiological traits influence invasion dynamics, interspecific competition, and adaptation in changing environments.

Profiles:  Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Prof. Estefanía García-Luque | Agricultural and biological sciences | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Estefanía García-Luque | Agricultural and biological sciences | Women Researcher Award

EVEGA/Granxa D’Outeiro, Spain.

Estefanía García Luque is a passionate molecular biologist, researcher, and scientific disseminator. She has focused her research on the application of molecular techniques to study genetic diversity, biotechnology in the food industry, and biodiversity conservation. Estefanía has worked with prestigious institutions like the University of Malaga and the Galapagos Biosecurity and Quarantine Agency. As a founder and CEO of GrowMeat, an innovative startup focused on sustainable lab-grown meat production, she is committed to advancing science for a sustainable future.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Estefanía holds a Degree in Biology and a Master’s in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Malaga, where she completed her Master's Thesis on tumor cell lines of the NCI-60 panel. She further expanded her expertise with a Master’s in Biological Diversity and Environment, focusing on genetic diversity through molecular techniques.

Experience 💼

Estefanía García Luque has made significant contributions through her diverse roles in the scientific community. As a Researcher at EVEGA (Galician Viticulture and Enology Station), she collaborated with the company Granxa D'Outeiro to identify and isolate autochthonous yeasts, aiming to enhance the production of unique wines that reflect the local terroir. As the Founder and CEO of GrowMeat, she leads an innovative startup dedicated to producing lab-grown meat, providing a more sustainable and efficient food source. Estefanía also contributes to environmental sustainability through her work as a Researcher at the University of Malaga’s SmartCampus Project, where she helps bring the university's scientific initiatives to the public. Furthermore, as an International Collaborator at the Galapagos Biosecurity and Quarantine Agency (ABG), she has been involved in biodiversity conservation efforts, utilizing molecular techniques to identify invasive species that pose a threat to the delicate ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.

Research Interests 🔬

Molecular Biology

Estefanía’s work in molecular biology focuses on the application of advanced techniques to understand the underlying mechanisms in living organisms, particularly in the context of genetic diversity and environmental adaptation.

Genetic Diversity

Her research explores the vast diversity within species, studying how genetic variations contribute to the survival and resilience of organisms in changing environments. This work has important implications for biodiversity conservation and agricultural applications.

Biotechnology

Estefanía is committed to leveraging biotechnology to develop solutions for a wide range of industries, including food production, health, and environmental management. Her focus is on using molecular techniques to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of biotechnological processes.

Biodiversity Conservation

As a strong advocate for biodiversity, Estefanía contributes to conservation efforts through innovative research. She has worked on projects such as the identification of invasive species in the Galapagos Islands, aiming to protect the unique ecosystems there.

Food Biotechnology

Estefanía’s interest in food biotechnology focuses on developing sustainable and efficient food production methods, such as lab-grown meat, which offer solutions to global food security and environmental challenges by reducing reliance on traditional farming practices.

Awards 🏆

SpinOff 2023 Award for her startup GrowMeat.

First Prize in Flash Session Hackathon for innovative projects.

Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp at the University of California.

International Cooperation Scholarship for her work in the Galapagos Islands.

Publications 📚

"Using Active Learning Methodologies to Teach Sequence Analysis and Molecular Phylogeny"

Journal: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education

Published: 2025, 53(1), pp. 21–32

"Diversity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast Strains in Granxa D’Outeiro Winery (DOP Ribeiro, NW Spain): Oenological Potential"

Journal: Fermentation

Published: 2024, 10(9), 475

 

 

 

Dr. Despoina Tounta | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Despoina Tounta | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

Despoina D. Tounta is a Doctoral Candidate at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. With a strong background in environmental science, disaster management, and public health, her research focuses on the interplay between climate change, pandemics, and zoonotic diseases. She has presented her work at international conferences and published in renowned scientific journals.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education

Despoina D. Tounta holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology and Geoenvironment from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which she earned in 1991. Building on her expertise in environmental sciences, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Environmental, Disaster, and Crisis Management Strategies at the same institution, graduating in 2017. Currently, she is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, where her research focuses on the impact of climate change and pandemics from zoonotic diseases. Her doctoral thesis, titled “Climate Change and Pandemics from Zoonoses: Emerging Risks for Public Health and Strategies for Prevention in the Cyclades Island Complex,” explores the intersection of environmental changes and public health risks, with an emphasis on developing policies for disaster preparedness and mitigation.

💼 Experience

Despoina D. Tounta has actively contributed to environmental research and disaster management through training, conferences, and presentations. In 1993, she completed specialized training in Remote Sensing at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, focusing on natural environment protection. Her expertise in disaster resilience led her to present at SafeGreece 2017 (SafeAthens), where she discussed seismic risk prevention in public buildings. In 2021, she presented her research at the International CEST Conference, exploring the impact of weather conditions on COVID-19 spread. Continuing her work on environmental health, she spoke at the Climate Crisis Conference in 2022, analyzing the link between air pollution and COVID-19 mortality. Most recently, in 2023, she participated in COMECAP 2023, where she examined the association between solar irradiance, pollution, and COVID-19 cases in Athens, further reinforcing her role in climate and public health research.

🔬 Research Interests

🌍 Climate Change & Public Health – Investigating the link between environmental factors and zoonotic disease outbreaks.

🦠 Epidemics & Pandemics – Studying the spread of infectious diseases and their correlation with weather and pollution.

🏢 Seismic Risk Prevention – Assessing non-structural vulnerability in public buildings.

📡 Remote Sensing & Environmental Monitoring – Applying geospatial tools to analyze climate-related health risks.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Speaker & Contributor at multiple international conferences on environmental hazards, pandemics, and disaster management.

Recognized Researcher for work on COVID-19, climate change, and public health strategies.

📚 Publications

Human Activities and Zoonotic Epidemics: A Two-Way Relationship – The Case of the COVID-19 Pandemic

📌 Authors: Tounta, D.D.; Nastos, P.T.; Tesseromatis, C.
📌 Journal: Global Sustainability (2022)
📌 Volume: 5, e19
📌 Citations: 3

Could Saliva Play a Role in Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic?

📌 Authors: Papadopoulou, A.; Tounta, D.; Tesseromatis, C.
📌 Journal: Stomatologija