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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template
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Use one form per project
Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012
In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that
your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed
PI name & contact details:
School:
Dr Dagmar Stengel
Dagmar.stengel@nuigalway.ie
Botany and Plant Science,
School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
yes
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Algal BioSciences, Botany and Plant Science, and Ryan
Institute
http://www.nuigalway.ie/botany/stengel_home.html
Research group / centre website:
www.ryaninstitute.ie
PI website / link to CV:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/botany/stengel_home.html
http://www.nuigalway.ie/our-research/people/naturalsciences/dagmarstengel/
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
If you are already involved in relevant scholarly activities relating to Brazil, please mention them here.
PI Research Interests:
- application of algae (seaweeds and microalgae) in biotechnology and environmental research (e.g.
climate change, environmental impact assessment, water quality)
- sustainable utilisation of algal (e.g. seaweed) resources
- impacts of environmental variability in algal biochemical (e.g. bioactive) composition and feedback
mechanisms
- targeted cultivation of algae for optimised production of biomass and metabolites with commercial
value or potential
- Existing research collaboration with Profa. Dra. Fungyi Chow Ho, Laboratório de Algas Marinhas
Edison José de Paula, Departamento de Botânica, IB-USP
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Title: Physiological studies and assessment of biotechnological potential of marine macroalgae
Description: Marine primary producers such seaweeds are key components of coastal ecosystems,
and the understanding of their biological responses to diverse biotic and abiotic environmental
factors is critical to both fundamental and applied, biotechnological research. The factors that
control primary and secondary metabolite production are still poorly characterised but essential
when attempting to utilize natural or cultivated seaweed resources. The responses of algal
metabolites to environmental factors are complex, and detailed, integrated laboratory experiments,
manipulating single and multiple abiotic factors, can assist in elucidating the mechanisms that
induce or inhibit metabolite production.
Both Ireland and Brazil offer extensive coast lines with a significant macroalgal diversity and
abundance, and thus provide considerable potential for future development of biotechnological
application of natural products for pharmacological, functional food and cosmetic industries. The
goals of this project are to characterize and compare physiological responses and chemical profiles
of selected Brazilian and Irish seaweeds subjected to abiotic stresses, and to assess the feasibility to
optimise valuable bioactive metabolites.
This project is intended as a ‘sandwich’ project for a visiting Brazilian researcher from the
collaborator’s laboratory.
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
NUI Galway projects should emphasise features that are not typically available in Brazil – specific equipment,
multi-disciplinarity, aspects of structured programme, links with industry, placements, links with other research
groups etc.
Dr Dagmar Stengel is a lecturer in marine plant science and Leader of the Algal Biosciences Research
Theme and Research Group Leader in the Ryan Institute at NUI Galway. Her research focuses on
advancing fundamental and applied aspects of the biology, ecology and biotechnology of both
macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae. Current research projects include aspects of sustainable
commercial utilisation of algae and their role in marine ecosystem functioning and climate change
research. The laboratory is well equipped for ecophysiological and analytical/biochemical research
(e.g. HPLC, GC-MS) and algal cultivation under different regimes. A strong network of collaborators
assures access to further facilities if required. The PI is currently collaborating closely with several
seaweed/algal companies and the research group has access to high natural algal diversity in a wide
range of near-pristine habitats on the Irish west coast.
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Dagmar.stengel@nuigalway.ie
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Marine Botany, Botany, Marine Science, Biotechnology, Environmental Science
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
x
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
x
Marine Sciences
x
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): N
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): Y
Suitable for either N