Lead Partner
CIM-UVigo
The Marine Research Centre (CIM-UVigo) of the University of Vigo is the institutional framework coordinating and promoting marine research, innovation, and knowledge transfer within the university. CIM-UVigo integrates 15 multidisciplinary research groups and 3 individual researchers, bringing together more than 200 people, including 68 permanent investigators, 65 postdoctoral fellows, 71 PhD candidates, and 54 technical and administrative staff.
The centre’s scientific activity spans marine ecology, ocean observation and global change, fisheries and aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ecotoxicology, and sustainable use of marine resources. CIM-UVigo hosts and manages the Marine Science Station of Toralla (ECIMAT), a world-class research infrastructure providing aquaculture facilities, mesocosms, and laboratories for experimental biology and climate impact studies. Between 2020 and 2023, CIM-UVigo secured €14.9M in competitive funding and produced 749 JCR-indexed publications, reflecting the excellence and international visibility of its researchers. Its mission is to generate frontier knowledge on marine systems, promote responsible innovation, and support the sustainable development of coastal regions through collaboration with the private sector, public administrations, and civil society. Within CIM-UVigo, the PhysToFish – Fish Physiology and its Application to Aquaculture group is based in the Faculty of Biology and recognized as a Competitive Reference Group by the Galician Government. Established in 1998 by Professors José Luis Soengas and Jesús M. Míguez, the group has since expanded its staff and trained over 18 national and international researchers.
Its research focuses on the physiological and neuroendocrine regulation of feeding, metabolism, and growth in teleost fish, with special emphasis on mechanisms affecting aquaculture production, welfare, and adaptation to environmental challenges. Using molecular, biochemical, and behavioral approaches, PhysToFish investigates how homeostatic, circadian, and hedonic factors interact to control appetite and energy balance. The laboratory is equipped with advanced molecular biology and physiological instrumentation, and it benefits from access to ECIMAT’s aquaculture installations for controlled experiments. The group has an extensive publication record in high-impact journals in comparative physiology and aquaculture and participates in national and European research projects addressing sustainable aquaculture, nutrient sensing, and fish welfare. Through active collaboration with other CIM-UVigo teams and external partners, PhysToFish contributes to advancing fundamental and applied knowledge that supports the transition toward more efficient, ethical, and environmentally responsible aquaculture systems.
Personnel
Prof. Jose Luis Soengas
Project Coordinator and team leader
Prof. José Luis Soengas is a Full Professor of Animal Physiology at the University of Vigo and Principal Investigator of the PhysToFish – Fish Physiology and its Application to Aquaculture group at the Marine Research Centre (CIM-UVigo). He has over 25 years of experience in fish physiology, focusing on the neuroendocrine and metabolic regulation of feeding, energy balance, and stress adaptation. He has coordinated and participated in numerous national and international research projects, including EU-funded initiatives. His team combines molecular, biochemical, and physiological approaches to improve fish welfare and aquaculture sustainability. Prof. Soengas has published extensively in high-impact journals and is internationally recognized for his expertise in fish metabolism and endocrine regulation.
Dr. Cristina Velasco
Executive Research Coordinator
Dr. Cristina Velasco is a “Ramón y Cajal” researcher at the University of Vigo. She has over a decade of experience in fish nutrition, endocrinology, and physiology, integrating fundamental and applied research to promote sustainable aquaculture. Building on a strong background in the physiological and endocrine regulation of feed intake, her work bridges basic mechanistic understanding with the development of functional feed ingredients that enhance fish feed efficiency, robustness and welfare. Through this translational approach, Dr. Velasco actively collaborates with industrial partners to address emerging challenges in the aquaculture sector, fostering innovation and technological transfer. She has participated in numerous national and international projects and has authored over 40 publications in leading scientific journals.
Carlota Freiría
Project Manager
Carlota Freiría is the Project Manager of the project. She is responsible for the overall coordination, administration, and communication between partners, ensuring effective project implementation and reporting.
Other team members
Dr. Ayelén Blanco
Dr. Ayelén Blanco is a ‘Ramón y Cajal’ postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vigo. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms governing feed intake in fish and their application to develop innovative strategies for sustainable aquaculture. She has over a decade of experience, with more than 50 scientific publications, multiple international collaborations, and active participation in national and international research projects. Her work is internationally recognized for advancing knowledge in fish physiology and aquaculture.
Prof. Marta Conde
Prof. Marta Conde-Sieira has developed her career in aquaculture, specializing in fish physiology, stress, and appetite regulation. After earning her PhD at the University of Vigo, she conducted postdoctoral research in Portugal, focusing on Senegalese sole and sustainable aquafeeds. She later established her own research line on the role of hedonic mechanisms in fish appetite, securing competitive grants and supervising several students. Currently a Full Professor at UVigo, she has published extensively and maintains strong collaborations with academic and industry partners.
Postdoc researcher to be hired in the next few months.
A postdoc researcher will be specifically hired for the project and will actively participate in all the project initiatives of CIM-UVIgo.