The researcher has dedicated her career to the study of phytoplankton ecology and the dynamics of harmful algal populations.
Marta Estrada, a researcher at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM), has been recognised as the "Most Committed Scientist" by the magazine Muy Interesante. This is one of the categories of the magazine's Pura Vida' awards, which seek to promote, encourage and publicly recognise the efforts of people who actively investigate and work for the conservation of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development.
"I would like to thank Muy interesante magazine and the other sponsors of these awards for their initiative. As the distinguished ecologist Ramon Margalef taught, the human species is an integral part of nature, and we need to respect it if we want to maintain dignified conditions for human life", says Marta Estrada.
"It is said that you cannot appreciate what you do not know. In this sense, I consider that my commitment to the environment has been to study some of its aspects," adds the researcher, who has devoted her career to studying the ecology of phytoplankton and the dynamics of harmful algal populations.
In 2017, Estrada received the Barcelona Medal of Honour in recognition of her scientific contribution in the field of oceanography and marine biology, of international prestige and relevance. During her professional career, the researcher has led numerous research projects and has published a large number of papers in prestigious international scientific journals. She has also participated in and led oceanographic campaigns in the Mediterranean and in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic oceans.
The 'Pura Vida' awards, organised in collaboration with the Costa Rica Tourism Institute and Springfield, took place last December online through the social networks of Muy Interesante magazine, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The categories of the awards include: NGO linked to environmental protection (SeoBirdLife), populariser actively involved in environmental protection (Jacob Petrus and Jaume Terradas); Sustainable business management (Acciona); Award for the most committed scientist (Marta Estrada); Ecological Invention Award (Sea2See); Actúa Verde Award (Ecomar), Enseña Verde Award (Network of Environmental Education Centres of the Community of Madrid) and the Award for Public Personality in defence of the environment (Macaco).