The UVigo professor and CIM researcher succeeds Daniel Rey with a project focused on leading major European initiatives, strengthening collaboration between research groups, and attracting and retaining talent
Elsa Vázquez Otero, Professor of Zoology at the Universidade de Vigo, has taken over as Director of UVigo’s Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), succeeding Daniel Rey García, who had led the centre since 2018. A researcher with CIM’s EcoCost group and with extensive experience in marine research and university management, Vázquez begins this new stage with the aim of “consolidating the transformation CIM has undergone in recent years and moving from its current recognition towards a position of international leadership”.
According to the new Director, this qualitative leap requires “increasing the Centre’s capacity to lead major European initiatives and enhancing the scientific, technological and social impact of its research”. This international outlook will be accompanied by internal efforts to strengthen scientific collaboration between CIM’s different research groups, promoting cross-cutting and interdisciplinary projects.
At the same time, Elsa Vázquez aims to “put people at the heart of the strategy” by strengthening the sense of belonging to CIM, improving talent attraction and retention, promoting professional development at every stage of the research career, and reinforcing the role of technical and management staff.
The UVigo professor noted that “the previous stage made it possible to build a solid foundation in areas such as institutional identity, internal collaboration, knowledge transfer and infrastructures. We must now turn that progress into even more visible and ambitious results”. In this new period, she also intends to promote more participatory and inclusive governance, integrating equality and diversity as cross-cutting principles in the Centre’s day-to-day activities and as defining features of its organisational culture.
A leading marine research centre open to society
The new Director believes that CIM should consolidate its position as “one of the main drivers of research at the Universidade de Vigo and as the strategic reference for marine research within the Galician R&D&I system”. To achieve this, she aims to strengthen the Centre’s capacity to generate cutting-edge scientific and technological knowledge, attract talent and develop high-impact collaborative initiatives.
According to Vázquez, this scientific excellence must be accompanied by an active role in transferring knowledge to companies, public administrations and social stakeholders, contributing to innovation and the competitiveness of the blue economy. “We have a responsibility to provide society with evidence-based advice to support decision-making in areas related to the marine environment and sustainability,” she said. In this context, Vázquez also stressed that “we are an open institution, committed to science communication and citizen science”.
At international level, the Centre’s unique research infrastructures will also play a strategic role. “ECIMAT, the mesocosms, the experimental mussel raft and the new CIM UVIGO research vessel, together with our scientific capacity and our membership of international networks, should enable us to attract excellent researchers, build long-term collaborations and position CIM among Europe’s leading marine research centres.”
Leadership based on participation
As part of this process, Vázquez is committed to participatory and inclusive governance: “Everything we have achieved so far has been possible thanks to the commitment, dedication and talent of the people who are part of CIM. This shared work, these CIMientos, are our greatest asset and the best foundation from which to face the challenges ahead with enthusiasm.”
In this regard, she said that she aims to “provide approachable leadership based on listening, participation, transparency and respect for different opinions”. “I firmly believe that the best decisions are built and made together, and I want everyone to feel valued, recognised and part of a shared project,” she added.
A career closely linked to marine research and university management
Elsa Vázquez joined the Department of Ecology and Animal Biology at the Universidade de Vigo in 1996, where she developed her teaching and research career before becoming Professor of Zoology. A significant part of her scientific work has focused on the reproductive biology and physiology of commercially important invertebrates. This work later led her to study the effects of global change and extreme climate events on the life cycle and physiology of bivalves, with the aim of applying this knowledge to the conservation and sustainable management of shellfish resources.
Throughout her career, she has participated in and led numerous competitive regional, national and European projects, as well as research contracts and international cooperation programmes, combining basic research on marine organisms and ecosystems with a clear focus on the application of knowledge.
Her research career is complemented by extensive experience in senior positions at the Universidade de Vigo. In 2009–2010, she served as Vice-Rector for Research and, between 2011 and 2018, as Director of the Talent Attraction Area at Campus do Mar. She was also coordinator of the international DOMAR doctoral programme and Vice-President of the Universidade de Vigo Senate between 2010 and 2018.
Her links with the Faculty of Marine Sciences have also been particularly close. After serving as Vice-Dean for six years, she was elected Dean of the Faculty in November 2024, a position she now leaves to take over as Director of CIM.
CIM holds the CIGUS recognition awarded by the Xunta de Galicia, which acknowledges the quality and impact of its research, and its activities are co-funded by the European Union through the ERDF 2021–2027 programme.
Source: DUVI
