Mariana holds a BSc in Biology, from the University of the Algarve, and is currently taking her MSc in Biotechnology, at UAlg too. Her master’s thesis is part of the Vertical Algae project, where she aims to investigate the correlation between thermotolerance and the composition of the growing medium in diatoms. In addition, the study seeks to obtain new strains capable of withstanding the high temperatures resulting from global warming, thus facilitating their cultivation at an industrial level during the warmer months. Mariana is joining GreenCoLab as a Technician being the newest member of the the Strain Improvement research group.