Reposted by @hibamrich99.bsky.social
Congratulations to Hiba Mrich (@hibamrich99.bsky.social), a 2026 #DSBSoc conference awardee!
Hiba is a PhD candidate researching gorgonian biodiversity/communities & #VMEs along Morocco's continental margin at @uvigo.bsky.social in the #EcoAfrik research group. Read more about Hiba in the altText:
![[Image: Photo of Hiba holding a gorgonian colony.]
"Hello, I’m Hiba, a marine scientist originally from Morocco. I am a PhD candidate at the University of Vigo, within the EcoAfrik research group. My research focuses on the biodiversity of gorgonians and combines taxonomic results with geomorphological, sedimentological and water-column data to characterize gorgonian communities and identify areas that may host Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems along the Moroccan continental margin.
My work relies on an extensive collection of gorgonians, currently curated at the University of Vigo, together with valuable faunal and environmental data gathered between 2004 and 2022 by the EcoAfrik Project research team (IEO–UVIGO) from both the Moroccan shelf and continental slope. These data and specimens come from surveys carried out within the framework of Spanish Moroccan scientific cooperation focused on the exploration of deepsea demersal resources, as well as from surveys conducted under the FAO CCLME and EAF-Nansen projects."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ckrzdo7lvgyidayr6adznflp/bafkreigkobpvova63bi4ahbzukdvljurt7roxqkzenr2a72hbkr45mkoii)
![[Image: Photo of Hiba in a lab coat examining a fragment of a gorgonian colony under a stereomicroscope.]
"To identify the gorgonians, I use traditional taxonomic methods. The taxonomic study follows the specific methodology for gorgonian identification: macro- and microscopic descriptions of colony morphology and sclerites; preparation of temporary and permanent sclerite slides; and, when required, SEM and micro-CT examination. Identifications are performed using taxonomic keys and specialized literature."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ckrzdo7lvgyidayr6adznflp/bafkreics6x4t435q4rwfcbq7ap3jkgrsn3qigumslxfa6innqbn2o5tfee)
![[Image: Photo of Hiba examining gorgonian sclerites under a compound microscope.]
"This thesis aims to contribute to scientific knowledge of Morocco’s benthic biodiversity and to support the conservation of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems. It is carried out within a broader context of North–South scientific cooperation, capacity development and knowledge exchange in deep-sea biodiversity research.""](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ckrzdo7lvgyidayr6adznflp/bafkreighc5umoyc5kbmm42qbwocb2hjecjmgcvuxu7tgnt3jrqtmtkwlxy)