News Release

Ángel Borja has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hull

The Basque biologist is considered 'one of the most distinguished scientists in marine ecology'

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Elhuyar Fundazioa

Angel Borja

image: This is Angel Borja, biologist. view more 

Credit: Angel Borja, biologist

AZTI researcher Ángel Borja has been awarded an honorary doctorate in science by the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. This distinction recognises his outstanding research work into the marine environment and the international impact of his work relating to the development of marine water assessment methods and developing environmental change indicators, among many other merits. The University of Hull regards this Honorary Doctorate in Sciences as "an outstanding example of how scientists should engage in the public debate". It also highlights his contribution to shape public policies in marine systems and as a member of the main international committees associated with this ecosystem. The academic recognition places particular emphasis on the fact that Dr Borja has helped to establish AZTI's extensive research reputation, as expert centre in marine and food innovation, attracting talent and carrying out research marked by excellence.

Ángel Borja has been a "pioneer in the development of techniques for the integrated assessment of marine waters and estuaries", as mentioned in the report from the University of Hull on the Basque researcher's career. The reasons for his appointment include his work on the development of indicators in Integrated Coastal Zone Management and their application to the European directives; in addition to his work on marine spatial planning and marine water pollution monitoring. The biologist is also one of the leading scholars of the relationships between ocean-meteorological variables and marine resources, which are essential for the global management of the marine environment.

The development of indicators of environmental change is another reason for Ángel Borja's award. His studies in this area have been integrated into Spanish and European legislation, and have been adopted by environmental protection agencies virtually worldwide (America, Asia, Oceania and Europe). The British university also highlights his "outstanding record of disseminating and communicating his science and influencing aquatic science and policy worldwide".

The doctor in biology has been a prominent member of Basque, Spanish, European and international committees and advisory boards on marine research.. This includes his high-profile Membership of the Scientific Committee of the European Environment Agency, international committees of the Regional Seas Commissions and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, among other organisations.

Renowned university professor and author of scientific publications

The number of merits obtained by Ángel Borja has made him "one of the most prominent scientists in the fields of marine ecology and the environment", according to the British university. The biologist was born in Donostia, San Sebastian, receiving a bachelor's degree and doctorate in Biology from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). He has been assistant professor in several post-graduate and doctorate programmes in the UPV/EHU, and a visiting professor of the Universities of Navarra, Polytechnic University of Barcelona, Ghent (Belgium) and Panama. Within AZTI, he holds the position of researcher in the Area of Marine Environmental Management. He is the author of 11 books and has published more than 300 scientific contributions. He has co-written around 20 papers with scientists from the University of Hull, which have contributed towards this Institution's attainment of a high rating in the Research Excellence Framework of Great Britain.

The University of Hull, founded in 1927, is located in the English city of the same name. Its main campus is in a residential area to the north of Hull and is home to the Institute of Estuarine & Coastal Studies (IECS) which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. It also has another campus in Scarborough, on the North Yorkshire Coast. It has faculties of Science, Arts and Social Services, Health and Social Care, Medicine and Finance, among others.

AZTI, marine and food innovation

AZTI, an expert technology centre in marine and food innovation, with over 30 years experience and international presence in over 45 countries, boasts a team of over 230 experts, aimed at shaping ideas that, once transformed into products and services, generate business initiatives and recover and preserve natural resources.

It carries out strategic and applied research in an international context and in alliance with Tecnalia Corporation, providing comprehensive and innovative solutions to its clients. Transforming science into value and wealth for the society of today and tomorrow is the hallmark of AZTI.

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