Dr. Cedric Anthierens | Marine Robotics | Business Innovation Award

Dr. Cedric Anthierens, COSMER Lab, University of Toulon, France

Cédric Anthierens is an Associate Professor at the University of Toulon, where he heads the mechatronics and robotics department at the Seatech Engineering School. A graduate of INSA of Lyon in 1996, Cédric earned his PhD in microrobotics in 1999. His academic career spans two decades, during which he has focused on research in marine and submarine robotics. At the COSMER Lab, his work includes developing underwater robots, umbilical management systems, and cooperation between autonomous surface and underwater vehicles. Beyond academia, Cédric collaborates with industry leaders like AlcenAlseamar, managing fleets of autonomous gliders to further enhance maritime exploration technologies.

Professional Profile

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Summary of Suitability for the Research for Business Innovation Award

Cédric Anthierens demonstrates strong qualifications for the Research for Business Innovation Award, with a unique blend of academic research and real-world business innovation. As an Associate Professor at the University of Toulon’s COSMER Lab, his work focuses on marine and submarine robotics, with a specific emphasis on autonomous surface and underwater vehicles. This field of research directly contributes to cutting-edge advancements in marine technology, offering practical applications in industries like defense, ocean exploration, and environmental monitoring.

Education

Cédric Anthierens holds a degree in Engineering from INSA Lyon, a prestigious French engineering school, which he completed in 1996. He pursued further studies in robotics, earning a PhD in microrobotics in 1999. His doctoral research focused on the intricacies of micromechanical systems, laying the foundation for his career in marine robotics. He further honed his expertise through various advanced research programs, specializing in underwater vehicle navigation and autonomous robotics. His academic background, a blend of theoretical and practical experience, has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum at the Seatech Engineering School, where he now leads the mechatronics and robotics department.

Experience

Cédric Anthierens has extensive experience in the field of robotics, particularly in marine and underwater systems. Since joining the University of Toulon in 2014, he has served as the head of the mechatronics and robotics department at Seatech Engineering School. His research focuses on creating autonomous systems for both surface and underwater vehicles, and he has collaborated with leading organizations such as AlcenAlseamar and Sherpa Engineering. Through projects like fleet management of autonomous underwater gliders and advanced algorithms for robotic path planning, he has contributed significantly to the field of marine robotics. His academic and industrial experience positions him as a key figure in advancing underwater robotic technologies.

Awards and Honors

Cédric Anthierens has received numerous accolades for his contributions to marine and robotics research. His work on developing underwater robotic systems has garnered recognition from both academic and industrial organizations. He has been honored for his innovations in autonomous vehicle navigation and path planning, including awards for excellence in innovation. His leadership in managing industry collaborations, particularly with AlcenAlseamar, has also been acknowledged, as he played a pivotal role in advancing the capabilities of autonomous underwater gliders. As an academic leader, Cédric has received institutional awards for his contributions to the Seatech Engineering School, where he has successfully led the mechatronics and robotics department.

Research Focus

Cédric Anthierens’ research primarily revolves around the development of autonomous marine and submarine robotic systems. His focus is on improving the intelligence and effectiveness of glider fleets, advancing algorithms for underwater vehicle navigation, and optimizing robotic path planning. He has worked extensively on cooperative systems between autonomous surface vehicles (USVs) and underwater vehicles (ROVs), particularly addressing umbilical management between these systems. At the COSMER Lab, his research has led to the creation of simulation tools that enhance the planning and execution of underwater missions, enabling robots to perform tasks more efficiently. His collaboration with industrial partners has also contributed to practical advancements in maritime robotics.

Sustainable SolutionsPublications Top Notes

Automated Deployment of an Underwater Tether Equipped with a Compliant Buoy–Ballast System for Remotely Operated Vehicle Intervention
A New Flex-Sensor-Based Umbilical-Length Management System for Underwater Robots
A Simulator of Underwater Glider Missions for Path Planning
Towards Active Self-Management of Umbilical Linking ROV and USV for Safer Submarine Missions
Sensory Navigation Guide for Visually Impaired Sea Kayakers

Dr. Rômulo Carleial | Zoology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rômulo Carleial, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom

Rômulo Carleial is an evolutionary biologist based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. His research spans sexual selection, conservation genetics, and the evolutionary dynamics of phenotypic plasticity. He has a strong academic foundation, having studied in renowned institutions like the University of Oxford and Yale University. Rômulo’s work explores the interplay between genetics and adaptation, contributing to critical conservation efforts. His commitment to science education is evident through his teaching roles in the UK and Brazil. He is passionate about understanding the evolutionary mechanisms that shape biodiversity, aiming to solve ecological challenges.

Professional Profile

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Summary of Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award:

Rômulo Carleial demonstrates an exceptional profile for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His research spans multiple critical areas, including evolutionary biology, conservation, and genetics, with a focus on sexual selection, genetic plasticity, and conservation biology. His reflective statement highlights a deep engagement with contemporary scientific questions, such as the philosophical implications of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis, showing thought leadership in evolutionary theory.

Education

Rômulo Carleial has a rich educational background, beginning with his B.S. in Biology from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. He further pursued his academic journey with an MSc in Ecology and Wildlife Management, where he developed his expertise in evolutionary biology. His DPhil in Zoology from the University of Oxford deepened his understanding of genetics and sexual selection. Additionally, Rômulo gained valuable experience as a visiting researcher at Yale University and Florida International University, honing his skills in evolutionary and conservation science, contributing to his global scientific perspective.

Experience

Rômulo Carleial’s experience is diverse and impactful, with a PDRA position at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK, focusing on conservation genetics. He has served as a tutor at Oxford University, delivering lectures and conducting practical demonstrations. His international teaching experiences include delivering courses in Brazil and the UK, alongside fieldwork supporting biodiversity conservation. Rômulo’s work extends to community outreach, organizing science events and talks to promote evolutionary biology education. His scientific collaborations have led to numerous international presentations, further cementing his reputation in evolutionary and conservation sciences.

Awards and Honors

Rômulo Carleial has received numerous prestigious awards. In 2022, he co-authored a DEFRA grant that secured £438,704 to investigate the genetic basis of AOD. He was also a recipient of CNPq DPhil and MSc international scholarships, which funded his advanced research at Oxford University. These scholarships, along with CAPES Science Without Borders funding, supported his studies and international collaborations. His ability to secure competitive grants and scholarships highlights his research excellence and commitment to advancing evolutionary biology and conservation.

Research Focus

Rômulo Carleial’s research focuses on the intersection of evolutionary biology, conservation, and genetics. His earlier work examined sexual selection and sexual dichromatism, while his current interests lie in understanding how genetics and phenotypic plasticity contribute to adaptive traits in organisms. His research on the genetic basis of plant resistance to pathogens, particularly in oak trees, aims to protect ecosystems from climate change and disease. He is also exploring the philosophical implications of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis, focusing on organismal agency in evolution and its conservation biology impact.

Publications Top Notes

Circadian patterns in male sexual behaviour and female resistance in a polygynandrous bird

A first draft genome of holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota), the most representative species of the Mediterranean forest and the Spanish agrosylvopastoral ecosystem “dehesa”