Mrs. Celia Caridad Borges Casas | Marine biology | Best Researcher Award
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuba
Celia Caridad Borges Casas is a Cuban biologist specializing in marine ecology, fish parasitology, and ecological interaction networks . She earned her Master’s in Marine Sciences and Limnology with Honors from UNAM and a Bachelor’s in Biology with a Gold Title distinction from Universidad Central “Marta Abreu”. Her work includes pioneering research on parasitic isopods in commercial snappers and seagrass ecosystem impacts . She has led projects on parasite-host interactions across North American marine ecoregions and contributed to biodiversity knowledge with the first record of Halophila ovalis in the Greater Antilles . Celia combines traditional marine ecological approaches with GIS, statistical analysis, and bioinformatics . She has presented at international conferences like SWIMM and the Latin American Fisheries Congress and completed over ten advanced courses. Her interdisciplinary expertise empowers her contributions to marine conservation, research innovation, and data-driven ecosystem management .
Profile
Education
Celia holds a Master’s in Marine Sciences and Limnology from UNAM, graduating with a 9.77 GPA and Honors, with a thesis on parasitic isopods in snappers . She earned her Bachelor’s in Biology with the Gold Title (GPA 4.76) from Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” , researching desalination plant impacts on seagrass beds . She pursued postgraduate training in species diversity, aquatic chemistry, marine geology, data analysis, and statistical modeling through UNAM, INVEMAR, and FAO . Additional certifications include Open Water Diver, Marine Ecology, and AGRRA coral reef assessment . She also trained at the Smithsonian Institution in paleontology 
and CIIMAR in Portugal, specializing in bioinformatics and molecular biology . These diverse educational experiences provide her with a robust foundation in marine sciences, ecology, and computational biology, enabling her to integrate fieldwork, laboratory research, and advanced data analysis in her marine conservation research .
Experience
Celia’s professional experience spans ecological research, marine biodiversity, and conservation management . She served as a protected areas technician in Cuba (2019–2021), contributing to ecosystem monitoring . As a Master’s fellow (2022–2024), she led a research project on parasitic isopods in commercial snappers, producing peer-reviewed publications and field data analyses. She also served as Co-PI in the “Species Interactions” project at UNAM, exploring parasite-host networks and ecological dynamics . Her research fellowships in Portugal enhanced her molecular biology and bioinformatics skills . Celia participated in international events like SWIMM 2023, First International Climate Change Congress, and multiple student science congresses. Across her roles, she demonstrated technical expertise in GIS, RStudio, biodiversity databases (Darwin Core, GloBI), and PRISMA reviews . Her hands-on contributions to three major projects reflect her multidisciplinary and international scope in marine science and conservation .
Awards & Honors
Celia has earned five major academic distinctions recognizing her excellence and research achievements . She received Honors in her Master’s at UNAM, awarded for timely graduation and outstanding academic performance . During her undergraduate studies, she was honored with the Gold Title—one of the highest recognitions for scholarly distinction at Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas . Her seagrass research earned accolades at national conferences, including the 48th University Student Scientific Conference . She was selected for a research fellowship at CIIMAR in Portugal, supported by competitive scientific merit. Celia has also been awarded multiple postgraduate course certifications by institutions like FAO, UNAM, and INVEMAR . These honors affirm her scientific impact in marine biology, parasitology, and conservation, and highlight her dedication to continuous professional growth and international collaboration.
Research Focus
Celia’s research centers on marine ecosystem conservation, particularly coral reef biodiversity, fish parasitology, and ecological interactions. She investigates host-parasite dynamics in commercial fish species and their implications on marine food webs and fisheries sustainability. Her Master’s work on isopod parasites in Lutjanidae snappers informs her current studies on parasite-host networks in North American marine ecoregions. She applies statistical modeling, GIS, and molecular biology tools to explore environmental impacts and biodiversity patterns. Her contributions include the first regional record of Halophila ovalis, highlighting her commitment to species documentation and conservation . She integrates traditional ecological fieldwork with computational approaches like PRISMA reviews, Darwin Core databases, and bioinformatics pipelines. Celia aims to advance understanding of how anthropogenic pressures affect marine biota, offering insights that support ecosystem-based management, policy, and marine biodiversity protection at both regional and global scales.
Conclusion
Celia Borges Casas embodies the qualities sought in a recipient of the Young Scientist Award—academic excellence, innovative interdisciplinary research, and a strong commitment to marine biodiversity and ecological conservation. Her achievements indicate a trajectory of growing impact and international relevance. With continued support and opportunities, she is poised to emerge as a leading scientist addressing critical environmental challenges in marine ecosystems.
Publication
1. Effects of Wastewater from a Desalination Plant on a Marine Grassland in Santa Maria, Villa Clara, Cuba
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Type: Preprint
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Date: 2025-04
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Authors: Casas, Celia; Joán Hernández Albernas
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Corresponding Author: Celia Casas
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Source: bioRxiv (Preprint ID: 648634)
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Source-Work-ID: cv-prod-id-4694707
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Repository: bioRxiv (DOI not yet published)
2. Cymothoa excisa Perty, 1833 and Rocinela signata Schioedte & Meinert, 1879 (Crustacea: Isopoda) parasitizing commercial snappers (Teleostei: Lutjanidae) in the southern Gulf of Mexico
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Journal: Marine Biology Research (MBRJ)
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Date: 2025-04-18
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Authors: Casas, Celia; Alfonso Aguilar Perera (Corresponding Author); Fernando Alvarez Noguera; Edlin Guerra Castro; Daniel Arceo Carranza; Fernando Nuno Dias Marques Simoes
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Source-Work-ID: cv-prod-id-4694679
3. First record for seagrass Halophila ovalis in the Greater Antilles
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Journal: Mexican Journal of Biodiversity
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Date: 2017-12-06
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Authors: Joán I. Hernández-Albernas (Corresponding Author); Celia C. Borges-Casas
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Source-Work-ID: cv-prod-id-4284977
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Source: CIÊNCIAVITAE
