CIIMAR PHD STUDENT WINS AE2021 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARD

Rafaela Santos, a PhD student at CIIMAR and at FCUP Doctoral Program in Biology won the AE2021 Student Spotlight Award, with the work "Quorum-quenching Bacillus spp. protect fish from Edwardsiella tarda infection and modulate the immune system of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)". 

Rafaela's work has been selected from a total of 120 works submitted. The three finalists were pre-selected by the EAS Board and then the final selection by the AE2021 Program co-chairs (Maria Teresa and Sachi). The winner was chosen by popular vote among those attending the conference.

Rafaela's research aims at controlling aquaculture bacterial diseases by using bioactive molecules produced by Bacillus spp. isolated from the fish gastrointestinal tract. Specifically, her studies focus on the inhibition of pathogen’s growth, biofilm production and quorum-sensing, and stimulation of the fish immune system.