Rui Peres dos Santos began his scientific career in the field of experimental biology, studying the effects of drug administration on bone development in zebrafish, but from an early stage he had set his sights on working with cetaceans.

Over the last decade, he has gained field experience as a skipper with cetacean-watching companies in the Azores, integrating scientific research into the context of marine tourism. It was in this context that he developed a data collection protocol using opportunistic observation platforms, creating a database of over 5,500 cetacean sightings over seven consecutive years.

He is currently preparing to reach an important milestone in his scientific career with the defence of his PhD thesis, whose work contributes to deepening our understanding of cetaceans in the Azores and other areas of the North Atlantic.

His study focuses on assessing seasonal and decadal trends in habitat suitability for four species of baleen whales: Balaenoptera musculus, Balaenoptera physalus, Balaenoptera borealis and Megaptera novaeangliae - along a mid-latitude migratory corridor, under current and future climate scenarios. 

 

The results highlight significant changes in habitat distribution throughout the year and a projected reduction in suitable areas by the end of the century, reinforcing the vulnerability of these species to climate change.

Let’s support Rui at this decisive moment in his scientific career!