Leader
Her research interests have been focused on the application of molecular genetics to solve problems in marine ecology, evolution, taxonomy, fisheries and resource management. Cryptic biodiversity of Holothuria genus from the Mediterranean and Atlantic, sea cucumbers fisheries and aquaculture, and assessment of echinoderm restocking in marine ecosystems, are also important goals of her research.
Postdoctorals
PhD students
He is mainly interested in the biodiversity, ecology and human impact on ecosystems. He has worked on rocky shore areas, on the ecology of its different species and effects of climatic change. Recently he started to work on feeding ecology of sea cucumber to assess the possible use of sea cucumber as new target species in Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (ITMA) and their potential to remediation of the aquaculture impact by their grazing.
Evaluation of induced effects by radial nerve extract of Holothuria scabra on its oocyte maturation through in vitro experiences.
PhD student (SFRH/BD/130910/2017). Entitled: Establishment of a genetic resource bank for restocking management in Portuguese oyster (Crassostrea angulata) and Striped-venus clam (Chamelea gallina)
Permanent collaborators
During her tenure as Director of ECOMAR, Prof. Conand encouraged collaborative research between France and many research laboratories in the WIO Island states notably Comoros and Madagascar. Her recent contribution in the WIO regional research is in sea cucumber fisheries especially its taxonomy, distribution and conservation in Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar.
His current research activities include the development of indicators for changes in water quality. He has initialised studies on climate change and nutrient interactions to improve local management as an important to ameliorate impacts of climate change on coral reefs. He has also investigated genetic connectivity and ecological function of coral reef invertebrates (specifically echinoderms).
His activity is focused on fishery management of different target species mainly sea cucumbers from Turkey.
Her research interests are focused on the taxonomy, systematics, phylogeography and connectivity of marine invertebrates populations. Nowadays, she has two main areas of investigation: species level differences of sympatric holothurians and pylogeography and connectivity of holothurians from the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
Her main research currently focuses on the molecular systematics of marine invertebrates, especially those endangered. In an evolutionary biology framework, process and patterns are investigated by her team to understand speciation, diversification, distribution, gene flow and other factors (biotic and abiotic) that give rise to the biodiversity. A great part of her interest is to communicate this knowledge to public administration managers to preserve the biological diversity)
MSc students
Technicians
Taxonomy of Mediterranean and North-eastern Atlantic sea cucumbers belonging to Holothuria genus.