Marine seagrasses are submerged flowering plants that form essential underwater meadows, fostering diverse ecosystems and providing a habitat for marine life. Our first Promega qPCR Grant winner and marine ecologist, Dr. Agustín Moreira-Saporiti, plans to continue adding to a fascinating body of work aimed at understanding flowering in marine seagrasses.

Dr. Moreira-Saporiti began his journey into marine plant ecology at the University of Vigo, Spain, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marine sciences. He then went on to complete a master’s degree at the University of Bremen (Germany) where his thesis focused the ecology of seagrasses in Zanzibar, Tanzania. His passion for marine botany led him down a deeper exploration of marine plants, unraveling the intricate web of ecosystem processes within seagrasses.

When asked what inspired his research, Dr. Moreira-Saporiti explained that marine plant ecosystems are a continuous source of interest. He is motivated by the desire to understand the intricacies of marine ecosystems and seeks to apply that knowledge to make a difference in marine conservation. He hopes his projects can contribute to tangible outcomes like ecosystem management or species conservation.  He also attributes his current trajectory to one of his most impactful mentors, Dr. Mirta Teichberg, an associate research scientist at MBL. Through this mentorship, Moreira-Saporiti learned the art of fostering collaboration and understanding that researchers are people first. He hopes to emulate these characteristics as a future leader in the field.