MARE at the Expo 2025 Osaka
Researchers from MARE – Centre for Marine and Environmental Sciences, from its units at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (CIÊNCIAS ULisboa) and at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (MARE-IPLeiria), are participating in the Osaka World Expo 2025 to showcase the work carried out in marine research and the blue bioeconomy in Portugal.
The 3D video, created as part of the special programme ‘Higher Education and Research: Portugal at Expo 2025 Osaka’, is part of an immersive experience that will be presented at the Portugal Pavilion, offering the public a virtual tour of real science spaces, such as the Guia Maritime Laboratory (Cascais) and the Marine Zoology and Marine Ecology Laboratories of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. Through three-dimensional technology and accessible storytelling, the production presents the research work carried out in the areas of marine biology and the ecology of aquatic ecosystems, highlighting the fundamental role of science in promoting the sustainability of the oceans.
The following researchers participated in the filming: Ana Fonte, André Alves, André Lima, António Sousa, Beñat Gana, Catarina Barros, Diana Mota, João Paulo Medeiros, José Ricardo Paula, Inês Caldeira, Inês Pires, Mário Rocha, Melanie Marques, Rita Ferreira, Romana Santos, Rui Rosa, Susanne Tanner and Tiago Grilo, whose presence illustrates the collaborative, educational and dynamic environment that characterises MARE's research centres.
The Expo 2025 Osaka was also attended by researchers Sérgio Leandro, director of the School of Tourism and Marine Technology (ESTM) and scientific coordinator of the SmartOcean project, and Marco Lemos, lecturer at ESTM and researcher at MARE-IPLeiria. During the event, innovative projects in the field of blue bioeconomy were presented, focusing on marine biotechnology, sustainable aquaculture, food innovation, and the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems.
This participation is part of a partnership with the National Agency Erasmus+ Education and Training, integrated in the Study & Research in Portugal initiative. The projects presented reinforce the connection to the theme of the Portuguese Pavilion - “Ocean, Blue Dialogue,” underlining the national commitment to a sustainable, scientific, and innovative relationship with the sea.
Expo 2025 Osaka will take place between April 13 and October 13, 2025, and is expected to welcome around 28 million visitors from around the world. MARE's presence at this international event is a recognition of its contribution to the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge and to the affirmation of Portugal as a reference in marine research and ocean sustainability.
This initiative is in line with MARE's mission: to bring science closer to society, promote education, and support sustainable development policies based on scientific knowledge.
The video being shown at the Portugal pavilion at Expo 2025 is available HERE
Text by Patrícia Carvalho e Vera Sequeira