Today, we’re thrilled to interview Inês Morao, another member of the Oyster Network. Ines holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and Biotechnology and a Master’s in Biotechnology of Marine Resources from the Polytechnic of Leiria. Currently, she’s a PhD student in a joint program between the Polytechnic of Leiria (MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre) and the University of Lisbon (CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), and she’s just submitted her thesis. Congratulations, Inês

EuroMarine Oyster: Could you share what sparked your interest in marine research and your decision to pursue this career path?

Ines: Even before starting my Bachelor’s, I knew I wanted to work in marine research. During summer vacations, I took part in short courses that made me realize I loved both lab and fieldwork. My institution had a strong relationship with its professors, and in my final year, I had the opportunity to go abroad to study sea turtles. This experience opened my eyes to the importance of understanding and supporting these species, which fueled my desire to continue in marine research.

EuroMarine Oyster: That’s inspiring! What led you to pursue a PhD, and do you have any advice for others considering this path?

Ines: A PhD is a long-term commitment – like having a four-year “baby” to nurture! I initially became involved in ecotoxicological studies on sea turtles due to a lack of research on this in São Tomé Island and I wanted to help the ONGs with this type of information. After in my Master’s thesis, I spent four months in the field collecting samples, and I realized there was still so much to uncover. I’d advise anyone considering a PhD to think carefully, as it’s a big decision. But if you’re passionate, go for it!

EuroMarine Oyster: Can you introduce your research on ecotoxicology and sea turtles? What excites you most about it?

Ines: I love working closely with local communities who have deep knowledge of sea turtles but lack the means for formal research. Working with them lets us exchange knowledge and raise awareness of how pollution affects these populations. There are significant gaps in ecotoxicology research on sea turtles in São Tomé and Príncipe, besides other ecotoxicology studies with sea turtles around the world, so it’s exciting to contribute to conservation efforts and uncover how marine pollution impacts these species.

EuroMarine Oyster: With which species do you work with?

Ines: In São Tomé Island, there are five species, four of them nest there. I study the green and the hawksbill sea turtles. Because the greens are genetically distinct from the other populations in the Atlantic, and the hawksbills they are the last remaining rookery in the Eastern Atlantic, so we need to study this species to understand the effects. These are the two species that I’m working with, for now.

EuroMarine Oyster: You’ve mentioned sampling in São Tomé. Have you worked in other locations, and what challenges have you faced in your research?

Ines: The first one, was to have a thesis. The logistics in São Tomé were challenging, as basic resources like electricity and storage were often unavailable. We collaborated with local NGOs and hotels to keep our samples preserved. That was the first thing that I did in the morning, before breakfast, since during the nights we were with the turtles. Another big challenge was self-doubt – imposter syndrome. Thankfully, I have supportive supervisors and colleagues who helped me stay focused and believe in myself. PhD research requires adapting your plans (we had to delete some tasks, because I was thinking that I could made everything, but no…), but it’s rewarding when it all comes together.

EuroMarine Oyster: You’ve touched on a common issue in academia. How do you manage work-life balance, and do you have hobbies to disconnect from research?

Ines: During the last few months of my PhD, balance was tough, but family and friends helped me. I also communicate openly with my supervisors, who encourage me to take breaks. Sometimes, it was my supervisor saying that I needed to slow down, and she told me to take a break or days to recharge. To recharge, I work out, spend time with friends, and reconnect with family. Before COVID, normally on Fridays in our institutions we had beers together to relax a bit after the week and now we are rejoining to have beers together. But, during the last few months of my PhD I was not so social or the social that I was with colleagues and friends from work, that I was too full exhausted, and you need your time.It’s essential to maintain connections outside of work to avoid burnout, and afterward maybe you lose the passion doing what’s you doing.

EuroMarine Oyster: If you weren’t working with sea turtles, is there another research area you’d pursue?

Ines: I enjoy ecotoxicology and conservation, and I’ve been involved in side projects with rotifer and dinoflagellate cultures. I’m going basically the same techniques around ecotoxicology but with other organisms, but I think it’s important to keep learning new techniques and collaborating across fields. Science is an evolving journey!

EuroMarine Oyster: So, I wanted to ask, do you have any specific experiences or individuals that inspired you or that you look up to in your research career?

Ines: Yes, I think I have four people in mind. First, there were two professors—Professor João and Professor Marco. João was the one who connected me with the NGOs in São Tomé and Príncipe, and Marco was a professor whose lectures inspired me. He’s really knowledgeable, especially about biomarkers. I also look up to Sara and Tiago, who are PhD researchers. I love working with Marco, Sara, and Tiago. They motivate me to become a better researcher and person. They inspire me all the time, and we have a good relationship. I never get tired of them—well, sometimes! But that's normal when you work so closely.

EuroMarine Oyster: You mentioned working with NGOs and the local communities in São Tomé during your sampling trips. Can you tell me more about the outreach activities you did there and how you engaged with the public?

Ines: Yes, I’ve been to São Tomé and Príncipe three times now. I had the chance to visit schools and talk to students, though not the universities because they were closed due to COVID at the time. I also did awareness campaigns along the coast and spoke with local tourism operators about our research. We did something similar in Portugal, hosting an open day to showcase our work. I even gave a radio interview on a local station in São Tomé and Príncipe about our research and my PhD work. It was great to talk about the importance of ocean conservation, especially considering that in the past, sea turtles were part of the local diet. So it’s rewarding to see the community become more aware of conservation and the balance needed in our ecosystems.

EuroMarine Oyster: That's very impactful work! You’re also a member of the OYSTER working group, right? How long have you been part of it? And what motivated you to join OYSTER?

Ines: Almost a year now. I started around December last year, or January this year. I wanted to connect with others like me—early career researchers who face similar challenges and want to improve the marine research field. OYSTER offered an opportunity to help others and be part of a supportive community. It’s not just about growing myself, but also about working together and helping each other.

EuroMarine Oyster: What do you think is the main advantage of being part of OYSTER?

Ines: The main advantage is that we support each other and share our experiences. We realize that many of us face similar challenges, and together we’re motivated to make positive changes. Also, OYSTER provides unique opportunities, like reviewing grant applications. For example, two years ago, I applied for a grant through EuroMarine to attend a sea turtle biology course in Bermuda. Back then, I thought senior researchers were the ones reviewing these applications, but it was actually early-career researchers of OYSTER. This experience has been so valuable—it builds our confidence and prepares us for more senior tasks.

EuroMarine Oyster: Besides the review process for grants, what else have you learned through OYSTER?

Ines: OYSTER gives us opportunities that I don’t think we’d find in other groups. We help each other, collaborate, and communicate our work through social media to reach a broader audience. This kind of networking is essential, and you never know—maybe in five years, someone I met through OYSTER will become a future collaborator.

EuroMarine Oyster: That’s a great outlook. Now, as a final question: Do you have any future research or career plans?

Ines: Yes, I want to continue this study, because like I said we have more samples to process, studying sea turtles, marine pollution, and ecotoxicology, building on my PhD for my postdoc. But to keep my CV diverse, I’m also collaborating on research involving dinoflagellates, which is a growing area of interest. So, those are the two main research targets for now.

EuroMarine Oyster: Sounds like a solid plan! Thanks so much for sharing your insights with us.

Ines: Thank you! It was great talking with you.