Fiorenza Micheli | Ecosystem Monitoring | Distinguished Scientist Award

Prof. Fiorenza Micheli | Marine Ecosystem Monitoring | Distinguished Scientist Award

Stanford University | United States

Prof. Fiorenza Micheli is an eminent marine ecologist whose research centers on the processes shaping marine communities and coastal social-ecological systems, with a focus on applying this understanding to marine conservation and co-designing sustainable solutions with policymakers and local communities. Her extensive work investigates climatic impacts-such as warming, hypoxia, and ocean acidification-on marine ecosystems, the resilience of social-ecological systems, predator ecology, trophic cascades, small-scale fisheries sustainability, and the design and function of Marine Protected Areas. She has authored or co-authored over 314 peer-reviewed publications, including papers in Science, Nature, Nature Climate Change, PNAS, and The Lancet, accumulating 49,709 citations and an H-index of 94 (Google Scholar). Prof. Micheli has mentored over 30 postdoctoral fellows, 80 graduate students, and 100 undergraduates, and currently leads a dynamic research group at Hopkins Marine Station and the Center for Ocean Solutions. A Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation, Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences, and past President of the Western Society of Naturalists, she has secured major grants from the NSF, EPA, NOAA, and private foundations for large interdisciplinary projects. Her leadership extends to global marine governance, serving as Co-Chair of the UN Ocean Decade Program GEOS, board member of Ocean Visions, and advisor to organizations such as WWF, Seafood Watch, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Widely recognized as one of the Top Italian Scientists, Prof. Micheli’s contributions bridge science, policy, and outreach, with her research and perspectives featured by major international media outlets including CNN, BBC, The New York Times, and RAI.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

"Global floating kelp forests have limited protection despite intensifying marine heatwave threats", Nature Communications, 2025.

"From Data Deficient to Big Data in Shark Conservation", Fish and Fisheries, 2025.

"Short and long-term exposure to ocean acidification in limpets from the Castello Aragonese vent systems (Ischia Island, Italy)", Environmental Research, 2025.

"Governing access and agency: cooperative and non-cooperative forms influence small-scale fisher livelihood vulnerability and adaptation", Ecology and Society, 2025.

"Recovery mode: Marine protected areas enhance climate resilience of invertebrate species to marine heatwaves", Functional Ecology, 2025.

Wenjing Wang | Anthropogenic Noise | Best Researcher Award

Wenjing Wang | Anthropogenic Noise | Best Researcher Award

Enes Bioacoustics Research Lab | China

Author Profile

Google Scholar

Early Academic Pursuits

Wenjing Wang’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Aquaculture from Shanghai Ocean University, where she developed a solid foundation in aquatic biology, aquaculture practices, and water quality management. Her undergraduate research explored the relationship between water quality changes in Penaeus vannamei greenhouse cultivation ponds and shrimp health, integrating both environmental and biological analyses. This early immersion in applied aquatic sciences laid the groundwork for her advanced research trajectory.

Professional Endeavors

Wang’s professional research career spans diverse topics within marine biology and aquatic physiology. She pursued a Master’s degree in Marine Biology at the University of Algarve, focusing on neurobiology, reproductive physiology, and behavioral ecology. Her doctoral studies at Jean Monnet University in Saint-Étienne, France, have centered on the long-term ecological and neurophysiological impacts of anthropogenic noise on aquatic species, particularly the African cichlid Maylandia zebra. Her work integrates field experiments, controlled laboratory trials, behavioral assays, electrophysiological measurements, molecular biology techniques (PCR, qPCR, RNA analysis), and advanced histological methods, demonstrating both technical versatility and scientific depth.

Contributions and Research Focus

Wang’s research primarily examines how environmental stressors-such as boat noise, temperature changes, and ocean acidification—affect aquatic species’ behavior, learning ability, growth, sensory perception, and gene expression.

Key contributions include:

  • Boat Noise and Fish Cognition - Investigating the impact of short- and long-term boat noise on boldness, aggression, anxiety, group behaviors, and learning ability in Maylandia zebra juveniles.

  • Neurophysiology under Environmental Stress - Studying c-fos and BDNF gene expression as markers of learning in noise-exposed fish, and assessing neuronal sensitivity in gilthead seabream under high pCO₂/low pH conditions.

  • Chemical Communication in Fish - Identifying olfactory components in the feces of dominant Mozambique tilapia using HPLC and electro-olfactogram recordings.

  • Reproductive and Developmental Physiology - Exploring the effects of temperature and photoperiod on gonad maturation in sea cucumbers and germ cell progression in European sea bass.

Impact and Influence

Wang’s work addresses critical gaps in understanding how anthropogenic environmental changes alter aquatic life at both behavioral and physiological levels. Her studies on noise pollution provide valuable data that can inform environmental policy, conservation strategies, and sustainable boating practices. By combining molecular and behavioral approaches, her research bridges fundamental science with applied ecological management. Her presentations at key scientific conferences-such as SFECA, JJBA, and thematic seminars on aquatic life and noise-have contributed to raising awareness within the scientific community and beyond.

Academic Citations and Recognition

Although still in the early stages of her career, Wang’s research outputs are gaining visibility through conference proceedings, seminar presentations, and collaborative projects with leading marine biologists in Europe. The interdisciplinary and applied nature of her work positions her for strong future citation impact, particularly in marine ecology, sensory biology, and conservation physiology.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Wang is poised to leave a lasting impact on the field of aquatic sensory ecology by:

  • Advancing the mechanistic understanding of how environmental stressors affect fish cognition and neural pathways.

  • Providing data crucial for designing noise-mitigation measures in aquatic environments.

  • Inspiring integrative approaches that combine molecular biology, ethology, and environmental science.

Her anticipated publications and continued collaboration with international research groups will further solidify her role as a key contributor to marine conservation science.

Additional Strengths

  • Multidisciplinary Expertise – Spanning neurobiology, sensory physiology, aquaculture, and environmental stress biology.

  • Technical Mastery – Proficient in behavioral assays, electrophysiology, HPLC, histology, and molecular genetics techniques.

  • International Collaboration – Experience working with research teams across France, Portugal, and China.

  • Communication Skills – Active participation in scientific conferences, both as a presenter and poster contributor.

Areas of Improvement

  • Expanding peer-reviewed publications to increase global academic visibility.

  • Broadening research beyond fish to other marine taxa for comparative ecological insights.

  • Strengthening outreach to policymakers and conservation organizations to enhance the real-world impact of findings.

Conclusion

Wenjing Wang exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated and innovative researcher whose work advances both theoretical and applied marine biology. Her ability to integrate molecular techniques with behavioral ecology offers a comprehensive understanding of how environmental stressors affect aquatic organisms. With continued focus on publishing high-impact papers and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, Wang is well-positioned to make enduring contributions to marine conservation science.

Notable Publications

"Long‐Term Boat Noise Effects on Growth and Behavioural Patterns During Early Life Stages of the African Cichlid Maylandia zebra

  • Author: W Wang, T Turco, A Pradeau, PJ Fonseca, RO Vasconcelos
  • Journal: Freshwater Biology
  • Year: 2025

"Chronic Boat Noise Impacts on the Early Life Stages of Cichlids (Maylandia zebra): Preliminary Findings

  • Author: W Wang, T Turco, PJ Fonseca, RO Vasconcelos, G Coureaud
  • Journal: The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life
  • Year: 2024

"Independent effects of seawater pH and high PCO2 on olfactory sensitivity in fish: possible role of carbonic anhydrase

  • Author: Z Velez, RA Costa, W Wang, PC Hubbard
  • Journal: Journal of Experimental Biology
  • Year: 2021

"Dynamic Effect of Chronic Boat Noise on Growth and Behaviour in Early Life Stages of the African Cichlid Maylandia Zebra

  • Author: W Wang, T Turco, A Pradeau, P Fonseca, R Vasconcelos, MC P Amorim
  • Journal: 2023 International Conference on Innovative Computing