Tiago H. Silva | ICVS/3B’s | Questionnaire
What are the main outcomes of your work on blue bioeconomy?
By doing research from the valorization of marine resources and byproducts up to biomedical applications, I see two main outcomes from my work: disclosing opportunities for valorization of fish byproducts by using them as a new class of raw-materials for the production of valuable marine biopolymers and other materials; show the potential of marine origin compounds and materials for the biomedical arena, namely as components of biomaterials for advanced therapies.
A project on blue bioeconomy you participated in and that you are proud of
IBEROMARE, cofunded by INTERREG under the POCTEP, coordinated by us, at 3B’s Research Group – University of Minho, in which we built a network of teams working on the biotechnological valorization of different marine biological resources (which included byproducts), showing its potential in a wide range of application fields. It also sets the time where a new research line was established in the institution, starting to shape my career.
The best blue bioeconomy tip you follow on your daily life
There is no waste: just another type of resources; in fact, there are much more to know than what you can see at the surface.
A course, an event, a meeting, a person who impacted and changed or reinforced your ideas/methods/working procedures – good practices
This has been a continuous learning process, seeing that the Oceans can be good for our Health in many different ways. But I can select a visit to Iceland in 2017, learning about their efforts to use 100% of cod, from food to many different applications using cod extracts and materials, as it showed it is possible, when a multidisciplinary team is working together towards a common goal, feeling that it will really benefit all.
How do you imagine blue bioeconomy in 30 years? (Forecast)
We will still be surprised by new discoveries, but different companies will be established, taking benefit out of marine biological resources in a sustainable way: beyond fisheries, we will have aquaculture companies implemented and working under a clear regulatory framework (exploring different classes of organisms) and also companies focused on active ingredients and applications (including healthcare) based in marine origin compounds operating in the market, competing with others. Hopefully, circularity will be a reality in the production processes of all companies working with marine resources. All these exist in concept and research approaches, but the translation to the economy, with impact in society, is still in its infancy. I believe the following decades will bring the growth of the sector to its adult life.
The best about working with B2E
Having a team on the interface between R&D and Economy/Companies, fully dedicated to promote the transformation of Science in Innovation.
An idea to improve work with B2E
Establishment of pilot projects in different topics to act as trigger for further developments. This depends also of funding, predictable in time (to enable planning) and supportive of the “death valley”, besides the will and engagement of actors.
When you are not working, you are:
With my kids. I’m a proud father of four and thus always trying to learn how to do the best for them (and what this really means).
