The Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA) is a R&D unit of excellence from the Portuguese national higher education system, through the University of Algarve (UAlg).
Supported by its relevance in the two main scientific research areas of Ocean and Coastal Dynamics and Environmental Systems and Resources, CIMA integrates the nationwide multi-institutional Aquatic Research Network Associate Laboratory (ARNET) and S2AQUA CoLAB. Together, these two national networks involve close to 800 researchers working within 27 different institutions from state laboratory to private companies, including higher education and public regional institutions.
CIMA and the University of Algarve integrate the INTERNATIONAL CAMPUS OF EXCELLENCE IN MARINE SCIENCE CEI·MAR, with some of the most important Marrocco and Spanish universities and institutions in the area of the marine research.
The multidisciplinary and excellence of CIMA also contribute to its integration in international research and expert networks such as the European Space Agency, the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling, the Future Earth ocean Knowledge Action, and the United Nation through the World Ocean Assessment.
Sara Raposo (BSc Biological Engineering, MSc, PhD Biotechnological Sciences, 2004) is Assistant Professor at Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Algarve University, lecturing in BSc and MSc Biotechnology and Marine and Coastal Management, subjects related with Bioreactor Technology and Blue Biotechnology. Since March 2023 is the Director of the CIMA and Coordinates the Engineering and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory.
Her research field is in the area of Biotechnology and Blue Energy, in microalgae biorefinery, with the valorisation of biological resources and production technologies, using sustainable bioprocesses in a circular economy and the development of bioprocessing systems, for wastewater treatment, to reduce resources demand and generation of effluents, waste and emissions.
Her research work has resulted in more than 80 scientific publications (peer-reviewed SCI-indexed journals, international conference papers, proceedings of international conferences and 2 registered patents). She supervised 28 master's dissertations and co-supervised 5 and 2 PhD on going. She supervised 10 works concluding a bachelor's / bachelor's course. Received 1 prize for the best article. In her professional activities, she interacted with 115 collaborators in co-authoring scientific works.
2nd & 3rd Generation Biofuels; Bioreactor Engineering; Biorefinery; Microalgae Biotechnology; Valorization of Agro- industrial Wastes; Wastewater Treatment
Developing sustainable resource exploitation
Development and technological improvement of marine renewable energy
Biotechnological development of alternative fuels
Evaluation of the potential of geological resources
Valuation of biological resources in the frame of circular economy