Phytodiverse Team & Partners
A collaborative European consortium bringing together world-leading expertise in ocean remote sensing, biodiversity monitoring, and marine ecosystem science
Phytodiverse unites seven leading European research organizations, combining decades of expertise in satellite oceanography, hyperspectral data processing, marine biodiversity, and ecosystem modeling. Our multidisciplinary team includes ocean color specialists, atmospheric correction experts, marine biologists, and data scientists working together to advance phytoplankton diversity science from space.
Main contacts
Science Lead
Victor Martinez-Vicente
Responsibilities
Leading scientific direction and coordinating Work Packages 2 (Algorithm Development), 3 (Data Production), 6.1 (Open Ocean Case Study), and 7 (Dissemination & Exploitation)
Project Manager
Lianne Jackson
Responsibilities
Overall project coordination, timeline management, stakeholder communication, and ensuring deliverable quality and timely submission
Partner Organisations
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
World-leading marine science institute created in 1988, with expertise in global Earth Observation, ecosystem modeling, and marine functioning. PML operates major programs including NEODAAS, Copernicus Marine, and ESA Ocean Colour Climate Change Initiative (OC-CCI).
Key Personnel
HYGEOS
Specialized SME (since 2001) in geophysical products from Earth Observation, with expertise in passive remote sensing of atmosphere, land surface, and ocean colour. Develops radiative transfer codes including SMART-G and works with major space agencies (ESA, NASA, CNES, EUMETSAT).
Key Personnel
Nathan Capon – Software Engineer
CNR-ISMAR
Italy’s largest research organization through its Institute of Marine Sciences. Coordinates Copernicus Ocean Colour TAC and SST-TAC, with expertise spanning passive and active sensors, algorithm development, and AI/machine learning applications for marine monitoring.
Key Personnel
Maria Laura Zoffoli – WP4.2 Lead (Ecosystem Function)
Federica Braga –WP3.1 Lead (Data Fusion)
Gianluca Volpe – WP5 Lead (Validation & Uncertainty)
Vittorio Ernesto Brando – Data Fusion Support
EMBRC
European research infrastructure advancing marine biology and ecology research across 80+ marine stations in 10 countries. Coordinates EMOBON, Europe’s first standardized marine biological observation program using genomic techniques for biodiversity monitoring.
Key Personnel
Nicholas Pade – EC Project Networking
Christina Pavloudi – In-situ Data Support
AZTI
Non-profit foundation (since 1985) committed to marine and food research, member of Basque Research and Technology Alliance. Expertise in oceanography, marine ecosystem modeling, socio-economics, and sustainable fisheries with 249 professionals and €20M turnover.
Key Personnel
Guillem Chust – Species Distribution Modeling
Yolanda Sagarminaga –Climate Extremes Analysis
Mireia Valle – Species Distribution Modeling
National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
Greece’s oldest and leading higher education institution (founded 1837), ranked 41st globally by Google Scholar citations. The newly established Oceanography and Earth Observation group features state-of-the-art computing facilities for satellite oceanography and spatial statistics.
Key Personnel
Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences
Leading research institute for Baltic and European Arctic Seas, internationally recognized for shelf and coastal region expertise. Hosts the International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project (IOCCP) office, with strong capabilities in ocean optics and remote sensing.
Key Personnel
Artur Palacz – Polar Science Case Support
Miroslaw Darecki – Polar Science Case Support