Juliano Marcelo Vilke

I am Juliano M. Vilke, a passionate PhD student in marine sciences at the Centre for Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Algarve (CIMA/UAlg). My fascination with the ocean began during my undergraduate studies in Fishing Engineering at Santa Catarina State University (UDESC) in 2013. Throughout my academic journey, I delved into marine ecotoxicology, interned in Portugal, and engaged in various scientific projects and ocean literacy initiatives. In 2023, I achieved my long-awaited Marine Biology degree from UAlg and completed my M.Sc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UDESC, in collaboration with CIMA. Over the past decade, I've focused on studying the impact of metals and emerging contaminants on marine organisms, particularly mollusk bivalves. Currently, I'm involved in the DEEP-REST project, evaluating deep-sea mining threats on marine biota and contributing to the conservation and restoration of deep-sea ecosystems. This experience has spurred my interest in extreme environments, leading me to embark on a PhD in 2024. My doctoral research focuses on the comparative evolutionary ecotoxicological adaptations of sea anemones from Antarctica and the deep sea, aiming to contribute to the understanding and preservation of these critical ecosystems.