Mariana is a Scientia Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science. She obtained her PhD in Marine Sciences from the University of Sydney, 2009 and holds a MSc in Zoology from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Prior to the commencement of her academic career in UNSW in 2013, she worked as a private consultant, leading the data analyses of one of the biggest environmental projects in Australia (Gorgon...view more
Mariana is a Scientia Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science. She obtained her PhD in Marine Sciences from the University of Sydney, 2009 and holds a MSc in Zoology from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Prior to the commencement of her academic career in UNSW in 2013, she worked as a private consultant, leading the data analyses of one of the biggest environmental projects in Australia (Gorgon Project, Chevron).
Member of: Centre for Marine Science & Innovation (CMSI) and Evolution & Ecology Research Centre (E&ERC)
My Grants
Recent grants
2021 Mayer-Pinto M. Effects of artificial light at night on coastal systems. Australian Research Council. Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA).
2021 Gribben P (CI), Marzinelli EM (CI), Kendrick G (CI), Dafforn KA (CI), Mayer-Pinto M (CI), Fraser M (CI), Martin B (CI), Verges A (CI), Glasby T(PI), Kilminster K (PI), Kjelleberg (PI), Xiang Ow (PI), Wright J (CI). Utilising plant-sediment feedbacks to enhance seagrass restoration. Australian Research Council. Linkage Grant.
2020 Dafforn KA (CI), Bishop M (CI), Mayer-Pinto M (CI), Potts J (PI), Walpole S (CI). Environmentally-friendly strategies for shoreline protection in lakes. Australian Research Council. Linkage Grant
2020 Johnston EL, Bracewell S, Mayer-Pinto M, Dafforn KA, Simpson S. Ecological and environmental impacts of the Australian bushfires on major waterways in NSW. World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature Australia.
2020 Dafforn KA, Schaefer N, Hoey A, Sherman C, Bishop, Mayer-Pinto, M, Vozzo, M. & Bugnot AB. Ecological engineering for marine pest management. Biosecurity Animal Division, Department of Agriculture. Phase II.
2020 Mayer-Pinto M, Bishop M, Dafforn KA, Vozzo M. Baseline assessment of the Clovelly seawall. Randwick City Council.
2020 Vozzo M, Bishop M, Dafforn KA, Mayer-Pinto M. Quantifying the benefits of fish friendly seawalls. Recreational Fishing Grants, NSW Department of Primary Industries.
2020 Dafforn KA, Mayer-Pinto M, Bishop M, Vozzo M, Steinberg P. Habitat modification and monitoring. Lendlease.
2020 Vozzo M, Bishop M, Dafforn KA, Mayer-Pinto M. Fish Friendly Seawalls - Darling Harbour. Habitat Action Grants, NSW Department of Primary Industries.
My Qualifications
2009 Ph.D. Marine Science, University of Sydney, Australia
2004 M.Sc. Zoology, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2001 B.Sc. Marine Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
My Awards
2021 Winner (as co-leader of the Living Seawalls) of the NSW Sustainability Awards in the Biodiversity category.
2021 Finalist (1 in 3; as co-leader of the Living Seawalls) of the Earthshot Prize from the Royal Foundation in the category ‘Revive Our Oceans’.
My Research Activities
My research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underpinning biodiversity and the functioning of marine ecosystems. In particular, I am interested in how anthropogenic stressors, such as contamination and urbanisation, affect the marine environment with the ultimate goal of developing evidence-based solutions for not only mitigating their impacts, but also restoring and rehabilitating marine ecosystems.
I am one of the founders and co-leads of the Living Seawalls, a project that is bringing marine life to concrete coastlines around the world. The project is one of the inaugural finalists of the Earthshot prize, and has received several awards.
By taking a multidisciplinary, field-based approach and developing novel methodologies, my research has shifted paradigms regarding the true effects of contaminants on marine systems and has provided innovative solutions to the issue of rapid urbanisation and coastal development, significantly advancing knowledge and providing critical information for policy and management.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9679-7023