Rui Prieto

I graduated in Marine Biology from the University of Algarve (Portugal) in 1997 and received my PhD degree from the University of the Azores in 2014. During my career I have developed research work on marine mammal behaviour and ecology in several national and international R&D projects developed through the Institute for the Conservation of Nature (formerly ICN, now ICNF), the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries/University of the Azores, the Inter-Universities consortium Institute of Marine Research (IMAR) and in the multipolar RD&I consortium Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE). A substantial part of my work has direct application to management and conservation policies, and as a result my services as expert have been often called for by Regional, National, and International bodies. Among other, my expert opinion was sought after during the implementation of the Natura 2000 Network in Portugal, the Marine Park of the Azores, and the regulation of the whale-watching and eco-touristic activities in several Atlantic regions (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, and mainland Portugal). I was in charge of the candidacy process that resulted in the designation of Corvo and Graciosa islands (Azores) as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in 2007. I have also been officially nominated to participate in meetings of intergovernmental panels concerned with the conservation of species and habitats, such as the International Whaling Commission and the ICES Working Group on Marine Mammal Ecology. Through these assignments, I have gained skills in engaging and negotiating with different stakeholders and policy makers. Over the years, I have contacted and worked with many individuals and institutions around the world, in the scope of my research and official assignments, creating a strong partner network. I was deeply involved in project writing and reporting, human resources management, and administrative processes both as part of my research activities and as managing director of a Science and Technology consulting company. I have lectured several modules in courses taught in the Azores University and have also informally and formally assisted and supervised students at different levels. Through the course of my life, either for career development or by personal reasons, I lived or spent prolonged periods of time in different countries (Angola, Brazil, Portugal, Panama, UK, US, Norway). Publication record: Articles in Peer Reviewed Journals: 45; Books: 3; Book Chapters: 4; Scopus H-Index (13/February/2020): 15 (682 citations); ISI Web of Science H-Index (13/February/2020): 14 (638 citations).