Cristina Galobart is a marine biologist and PhD candidate focused on conserving and restoring seaweed forests. Her research examines how human activity impacts macroalgal ecosystems and explores restoration strategies to recover biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Using both taxonomic and metabarcoding approaches, she studies species diversity, community recovery, and ecological processes like primary production. Her work spans the Mediterranean Sea, the Northeast Atlantic, and Australia.

EuroMarine Oyster: Let me briefly introduce Cristina. Cristina completed her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Girona in Spain. She also did her master’s in ecology and environmental management and restoration at the University of Barcelona, and now she’s finishing her PhD in environmental science at the Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes in Spain. Cristina is soon to be a new doctor—congratulations in advance!

Cristina: Thank you! Hopefully, in a month or two.

EuroMarine Oyster: Cristina, what sparked your interest in marine research, and how did you decide to pursue this career?

Cristina: Well, I did my bachelor’s in biology, and during my studies, I really enjoyed the ecology subjects. Afterward, I did an internship in a group studying marine sponges. They worked on various topics, but one was marine sponge ecology. It was during this internship that I became truly interested in marine environments, so I decided I wanted to continue researching in that field.

EuroMarine Oyster: What led you to pursue a PhD, and do you have any advice for peers or students who are considering a PhD or a research career?

Cristina: After my internship, I had the opportunity to work for a year in the same research group. Then, I moved back to the University of Girona for six months. So I worked as a research assistant in two different groups after the bachelor’s. This gave me a chance to experience the research environment firsthand. Seeing PhD students in action, I began to think that a PhD might be a good path for me. So, I decided to pursue it.

As for advice, I would say that it’s beneficial to gain experience in research before committing to a PhD. If possible, try to work with different groups after your bachelor’s and master’s. This gives you a sense of what research is really like, how different teams operate, and what the daily tasks involve. Also, it’s important to have a good relationship with your PhD supervisor. I’ve been lucky to have a great relationship with mine, both professionally and personally. That’s something I’d highly recommend considering before starting a PhD.

EuroMarine Oyster: Those are great pieces of advice! Now, can you tell us a bit more about your PhD research? You mentioned marine sponges earlier—what exactly is the focus of your research?

Cristina: My PhD focuses on marine seaweed ecology. I work with a team that specializes in seaweed ecology. Seaweeds are vital in marine coastal habitats because they’re primary producers and support a wide range of biodiversity. In my research, I focus on seaweed restoration, although not on the restoration itself, but on evaluating the success of a restoration that took place in Menorca, in the Balearic Islands, about 10 years ago.

The restored area has been surveyed since the restoration action by members of the research station Estació d’Investigació Jaume Ferrer (http://www.ba.ieo.es/es/estacion-jaume-ferrer (http://www.ba.ieo.es/es/estacion-jaume-ferrer)), with an annual monitoring to understand how the restored seaweed was developing. In this thesis, we have evaluated the restoration success from a functional perspective. We’ve looked at the recovery of the restored seaweed community, which is the associated macroalgae and macroinvertebrates. We’ve also measured ecosystem processes, such as oxygen fluxes and pH changes, to see if the restoration has improved oxygen production and potential carbon assimilation in the habitat.

EuroMarine Oyster: That sounds like a really interesting and impactful project. In your fieldwork, did you encounter any challenges, like difficult weather conditions, or maybe the effects of climate change?

Cristina: Regarding the fieldwork, the seaweed we are studying lives in shallow waters, so we typically use snorkeling to collect data—no scuba diving needed. The waters are calm, and the environmental conditions are relatively mild compared to more exposed coastal areas, which makes it a comfortable place to work. As for climate change, we haven’t seen strong impacts from marine heatwaves on this particular restoration, but we know that other areas in Menorca have been affected by heatwaves in recent years. In the area where we work, one of the biggest challenges has been overgrazing by sea urchins. In some years, their population increases significantly, and they can cause significant damage to seaweed populations. So, we’ve had to manage the sea urchin density as part of our project.

EuroMarine Oyster: That’s interesting. Do you think the rise in sea urchins is related to the loss of their predators, or is there another reason for their increase?

Cristina: It’s possible that the loss of sea urchin predators, like certain fish species, could be contributing to the increase in sea urchin populations. Some studies have shown a direct relationship between predator depletion and increased sea urchin populations, although this can vary depending on the area. It could also just be due to fluctuations in recruitment from year to year, where certain conditions lead to more urchins in some years.

EuroMarine Oyster: That’s an interesting observation. So, in your restoration project, why did you choose to restore Gongolaria barbata? What happened to the species before, and why was it depleted?

Cristina: Gongolaria barbata used to be abundant in the Bay of Maó, a large bay near the city of Menorca. However, the seaweed disappeared in the 1980s when urban development and the construction of a harbor led to contamination of the area. The water quality was poor, and the seaweed couldn’t survive. After improvements in water quality and regulations, the seaweed didn’t naturally return, even after 25-30 years. So, the research team decided to conduct an experiment to see if they could reintroduce Gongolaria barbata to the area. They tried various methods, such as using fertile branches and cultivating small individuals in the lab, to restore the species without damaging other areas. That’s how the restoration project began.

EuroMarine Oyster: Let's talk a little bit about the challenges you've faced during your research. How did you cope with them, and what strategies did you use to find solutions?

Cristina: Yeah, in general, when I think about it, one of the main challenges during my PhD has been learning how to manage my time. A PhD is usually four years, depending on the country, and you need to figure out how to manage this time effectively. You often question yourself, asking, “Am I doing enough? Should I be working more? Am I developing the outcomes at the expected speed?” When you start, it’s difficult to have a four-year perspective. You tend to do a lot of different things and it can be challenging to prioritize.

In this case, the role of the supervisor is critical. A supportive supervisor can be extremely helpful. But if you have a less supportive one, it can be tricky. In this regard, your supervisor’s advice, telling you if you're doing well or need to focus more on a specific aspect, is key. Instead of comparing yourself to other PhD students, I would recommend seeking guidance from your supervisor. Having this support is essential.

EuroMarine Oyster: Absolutely. Having the right support system is key. So, thinking about your research, do you have any individuals or experiences that inspired you along the way?

Cristina: For sure. There are several names that come to mind. Before starting my PhD, I had a supervisor, Anna Vila, at the University of Girona. She really helped me think about what I wanted to do, not just decide but also figure out the direction I wanted to take. My current supervisor, Emma Cebrian, has also been professionally and personally inspiring throughout these years.

Additionally, my team has been incredibly important. There was Jana Verdura, who was finishing her PhD when I joined. The team consists of around 10 people, and all of them have helped and inspired me at different stages for different things.

Also, having the opportunity to work abroad and collaborate with different teams has been enriching. Different teams work in different ways, and this has broadened my perspective.

EuroMarine Oyster: That’s great. You mentioned being inspired by others, and you have diverse interests in marine science. Are there other topics besides microalgae restoration that fascinate you?

Cristina: Yes, absolutely. Marine ecology is vast, and there are many fascinating topics. For me, I’m really interested in benthic ecology in general. For example, sponge ecology, seagrass ecology, and how different species interact within habitats and with their environment. The factors that affect these interactions are really intriguing to me.

Also, we’re currently working on a project called COASTFRAG (https://www.coastfrag.org/), which looks at how habitat fragmentation impacts macroalgal forests and the associated communities. It’s an exciting topic, as habitat fragmentation is one of the current environmental threats to marine ecosystems. This is closely related to my PhD work.

EuroMarine Oyster: That sounds fascinating. Now, let’s talk a bit about work-life balance. How do you manage to disconnect from academia and take care of your mental health?

Cristina: We talk more about mental health now, which is important. I’m lucky that I live close to my hometown and I have a good group of friends and family nearby. It’s easier for me to disconnect from academia and enjoy personal time. I love doing sports, especially yoga. I also enjoy reading and going to music festivals to unwind.

I would advise taking all your holiday days. It’s something I’ve learned over time—taking time off and disconnecting completely, without emails or work. At the start of my PhD, I didn’t always do that, but it’s essential. Academia can feel like a sprint, but a PhD is more like a marathon. It's crucial to rest, take care of your personal life, and recharge.

EuroMarine Oyster: That’s excellent advice. Now, switching topics a bit, you’re part of OYSTER. What motivated you to join, and what keeps you engaged in this network?

Cristina: I first heard about OYSTER through a colleague, María López. She told me about the network, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to connect with other early-career marine researchers from across Europe. I joined and started learning about how the group worked, how we organize activities, and how decisions are made.

In my second year, I co-chaired with Natalia Llopis, which was a rewarding experience. I also got to work closely with Euromarine, acting as the link between OYSTER and Euromarine. Now, in my current position as a member, I still help out with different activities and try to learn as much as I can from the network.

EuroMarine Oyster: That’s amazing. What do you think are the benefits of being part of such a network?

Cristina: Being in OYSTER has been valuable, both professionally and personally. The network connects early-career researchers, PhD candidates, and postdocs who are in similar stages of their careers. This allows us to share experiences and learn from each other. I’ve found that discussing challenges and ideas with others who are in similar situations is really rewarding.

We also work on projects outside of pure science. For example, we’re developing a mentorship program that connects early-career researchers with experienced mentors. This offers a chance to receive advice, build connections, and expand our network beyond just scientific work.

EuroMarine Oyster: That’s a great initiative. As we wrap up, what are your future research plans?

Cristina: Right now, I’m finishing my PhD, and the next logical step is to pursue a postdoc. I’m looking for opportunities abroad, possibly in another country. I want to continue my research and contribute to the field of marine ecology. I’m excited about the next phase of my career.

EuroMarine Oyster: Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us. It’s been a pleasure talking to you, Cristina. We wish you the best of luck with the final stages of your PhD!