The Bronze Medal was presented by Nicolas Arnaud, Director of INSU CNRS.
Mar Benavides, researcher in microbial oceanography, specialising in functional diversity and biogeochemistry at the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology.
"Coming from a family of sailors, I've always been drawn to the sea. During my studies, I was fascinated by the way in which tiny marine micro-organisms control biogeochemical cycles on a global scale. Since then, I have devoted my research to the study of marine diazotrophs: micro-organisms capable of transforming inert molecular nitrogen into bio-available nitrogen that sustains the biological productivity of the oceans. From sea expeditions to laboratory experiments, I combine molecular biology, advanced microscopy, mass spectrometry and geochemistry. My aim is to build bridges between the spatiotemporal scales on which diazotrophs interact with their environment and which shape biogeochemical cycles in the ocean. "
The MIO and its staff warmly congratulate Mar!