Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab 

Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab is a leading research SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) in Cyprus, established in 2008 with a focus1 on marine environmental consultancy and research. With a portfolio of over 70 completed projects covering areas such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), biodiversity, fisheries, aquaculture, and protected species and habitats, MER has established itself as an expert in the field. MER's expertise extends to assessing environmental impacts and providing expert consultancy services across various maritime sectors. Through successful citizen science initiatives, MER engages stakeholders and the public in marine conservation efforts. 

Frederick Research Center

Frederick Research Center (FRC) engages highly qualified academic/research staff mainly from Frederick University, with a strong track record of independent research and publications. FRC has implemented ~145 externally funded national and EU projects, securing €13 million in funding from national and EU sources. Collaborating closely with public bodies, stakeholders, and policymakers, FRC currently addresses environmental challenges in Limassol, focusing on sea and coastal protection for sustainable growth. Through involvement in Limassol's Action Plan under the EU's 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, FRC proposed seagrass restoration efforts and aligns research with urban and environmental sustainability goals. FRC provides facilities and expertise for dissemination and training activities, communication and outreach services to enhance visibility of RESPOSCY.

Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)

Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) is a public academic institution, and its strategic goal is to develop research activities both within the University and in collaboration with other institutes locally and internationally. CUT has secured significant funding from national and European sources, implementing >150 projects with >19 million euros in total funding. The Photogrammetric Vision Lab at CUT, founded in 2010 by Dr. D. Skarlatos, specializes in underwater 3D mapping. In collaboration with the University of Cyprus, the lab has gained significant expertise in underwater documentation, 3D data acquisition, and the use of SfM and MVS to create colour 3D point clouds. The lab has refined its methodology for acquiring, processing, and georeferencing 3D dense point clouds. The lab is also skilled in 3D acquisition using laser scanners and UAVs for aerial mapping and has expertise in Geographic Information Systems and Database Management. In the RESPOSCY project, the Lab will apply photogrammetry for ecological applications for the first time in Cyprus, thereby expanding its research scope and unlocking new opportunities.

University of Genova

University of Genova (UNIGE) is a teaching and research institution in Italy. UNIGE participates in the project via its Department for Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DiSTAV), which performs extensive research in many fields of Biology and Geology, both in basic and applied research, and has experience in the coordination and participation to EU projects in various fields linked to environmental protection. The research team participating at this project is the 'Seascape Ecology Laboratory' (SEL), which works on seagrass ecology, community ecology, marine coastal habitats quality assessment and characterization, monitoring and evaluation of the effects of local and global stressors on marine ecosystems and their change over time. In recent years the SEL has been mainly involved in numerous restoration projects of Posidonia oceanica meadows in Italy, as well as in the LIFE Pinna project aimed at restocking populations of the endangered Pinna nobilis.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Monica Montefalcone, who lost her life on May 14 in a tragic diving accident in the Maldives. Her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal, died with her, along with Muriel Oddenino, a research fellow who had worked with her, Federico Gualtieri, a recent marine-biology graduate, and Gianluca Benedetti, a diving instructor and boat operations manager.

Associate Professor of Ecology at the University of Genoa and an internationally respected marine scientist, Professor Montefalcone was a leading expert on Posidonia oceanica seagrass ecosystems in the Mediterranean. Her work made a significant contribution to marine ecology, conservation, and restoration science.

Professor Montefalcone collaborated on the RESPOSCY project through the Seascape Ecology Laboratory (SEL) of the Department for Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DiSTAV) at the University of Genoa. Together with her research team, she provided invaluable expertise in the restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows. In recent years, the SEL team under her coordination had been actively involved in numerous Posidonia oceanica restoration projects in Italy, as well as in the LIFE PINNA project, aimed at restoring populations of the endangered Pinna nobilis.

Her knowledge and scientific guidance were critical to our efforts to restore Posidonia oceanica meadows in Cyprus. Her team provided support on restoration design, transplantation protocols, and monitoring methodologies to strengthen the success and long-term sustainability of seagrass recovery initiatives in the Mediterranean.

As she once stated:

“Participating in RESPOSCY is an important opportunity for us to expand our knowledge and collaborate in restoration efforts across different local contexts, strengthening our capacity to contribute to Mediterranean-wide marine restoration initiatives.”

We have lost a remarkable human being, an exceptional scientist, and a true ally in our shared mission to restore Posidonia oceanica meadows. Her work and legacy will continue to live on beneath the sea, where we will carry forward her vision and methods for the restoration of seagrass meadows and the protection of the Mediterranean Sea and its ecosystems.