Miguel Gandra, a former PhD student and full member of CCMAR and currently a researcher at OKEANOS – Institute for Marine Science Research, was awarded third place in the Amadeu Dias Foundation 2026 PhD Prize in Ecology, presented by the Portuguese Society of Ecology (SPECO).
Miguel Gandra was recognised for his work on the use of the ocean by marine megafauna and for how this knowledge can support their conservation. The research combined advanced biotelemetry and biologging technologies with innovative analytical tools to study the movements, behaviour and habitat use of species such as the corvina (Argyrosomus regius), deep-sea sharks (Dalatias licha and Hexanchus griseus) and the whale shark (Rhincodon typus).
Based on more than two decades of data collected in the Iberian Peninsula and the Azores, the study identified previously unknown migratory corridors, critical aggregation areas and patterns of habitat fidelity, providing relevant information for the management and conservation of these species.
CCMAR congratulates Miguel Gandra on this award, which recognises the excellence of the work carried out during his PhD and highlights the contribution of the research conducted at the centre to the advancement of marine ecology and conservation.
