Tell us a bit about the work you’ll be doing at CCMAR.
My name is Ricardo Cerqueira. I will be doing my thesis in the MarBiotech group, where I am integrated in the GreenTreat Project (in collaboration with Águas do Algarve), with the objective to characterize and track down the evolution of bacteria-microalgae consortia, formed during tertiary treatment of urban wastewater within four seasons (autumn, winter, spring and summer). This includes monitoring and characterization of the effectiveness of the photobioreactor, according to nutrients removal (NH4+, NO3-, PO43-, total N and total P), biomass growth and assessment of population dynamics through 16S and 18S rDNA extraction and species identification via metagenomic analysis.

What were you doing before you joined us?
Before joining CCMAR, between 2015 and 2018, I studied Biology Bsc, where I became passionate for the relation between the environment and microorganisms. In 2018, the “Impact of ocean acidification on intestinal microbiota of sea bream (Sparus aurata)” was my first research project. In 2018/2019, I applied for the Molecular and Microbial Biology Master degree, where I became fascinated with microalgae and, with that, my interest led me to the GreenTreat Project. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Aside of work, thinking about inventions and their development motivates me. I practice martial arts and I love extreme sports. Also, drawing and reading are some of the hobbies I really enjoy.