Marine Biology Team (MARBIT)
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Team Name
- Marine Biology Team (MARBIT)
MARBIT Team Advisor
- Elif Yücedağ (Marine Biologist)
MARBIT Leader
- Cennet Akkaya (Gazi University, Biology)
MARBIT Crew
- Arzu Alçınar (Hacettepe University, Biology)
- Çağrı Yılmaz (Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Electricity and Energy)
- Merve Tavukçu Şirin (Aquaculture Engineer)
About the MARBIT
The Marine Biology Team (MARBIT) is a research team under Mars on Earth project (MoEP) aiming to conduct pioneering studies in its field by bridging marine biology with astrobiology research.
The team conducts research on various topics including the origin and evolution of marine life, suitable habitats for life, life in extreme environments, marine ecosystems, organism behaviors, biological diversity and conservation, ecosystem management and sustainability, as well as education and awareness.
MARBIT’s Mission
MARBIT’s mission is to serve the scientific community by conducting research on marine ecosystems through marine biology studies and supporting the intersection of marine biology and astrobiology research.
In addition to astrobiology studies, ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources, contributing to the conservation of the oceans, and serving as examples for students interested in working in the field of marine biology are also integral parts of the mission.
MARBIT’s Research Areas
MARBIT focuses on a wide range of research areas related to marine biology, encompassing the following:
- Origin and Evolution of Life: Delving into the mysteries of how life originated and evolved on Earth, with a particular focus on marine environments.
- Suitable Living Environments: Exploring the diverse marine habitats across the globe and understanding how life thrives and diversifies in these conditions. (Assessing the potential for life in underwater environments of other planets or moons like Jupiter’s Europa is an important research area.)
- Life in Extreme Environments: Investigating the remarkable adaptations and resilience of life in extreme marine environments, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of habitability.
- Investigating Marine Ecosystems: Investigating the complex structures, functioning, and biological diversity of marine ecosystems encompassing various organisms..
- Studying Organism Behavior and Adaptations: Delving into the fascinating behavioral patterns, adaptations, and life strategies of marine organisms, shedding light on their interactions with their environment.
- Compounds from the Sea: Exploring the potential of compounds derived from marine organisms for various applications, including medicine, biotechnology, and material science.
- Marine Biodiversity and Conservation: Striving to understand and protect the rich biodiversity of marine ecosystems, ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
- Ecosystem Management and Sustainability: Contributing to the effective management and sustainable use of marine ecosystems, addressing challenges such as pollution, climate change, and overfishing.
- Education and Awareness: Engaging in citizen science initiatives and raising public awareness about the importance of marine environments, fostering a sense of stewardship for our planet’s oceans.
MARBIT’s multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise from various fields such as marine biology, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and computer science, enables a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of marine life and its role in our planet’s ecosystems.
The team’s dedication to research and education plays a vital role in advancing our knowledge of the oceans and promoting their sustainable use for the benefit of humanity.
The “MoEP STINGRAY” project, an autonomous underwater research platform, is supported by MARBIT for marine biology research endeavors. Upon completion, the “MoEP STINGRAY” vehicle is planned to be utilized for marine biology research.
Additionally, the team also lends support to other underwater observation vehicle projects of MoEP, such as “TAYA” and “WALRUS-19,” focusing on research and educational initiatives.
Furthermore, the team collaborates in a multidisciplinary and coordinated effort with the “MoEP Polar Astrobiological Research Vanguard Team (PARV)” , “Europa Research and Exploration Studies Team (EUREOS)” and “Underwater Systems and Diving Team (USDT)“.
Importance of MARBIT
The MARBIT team aims to continue playing a leading role in marine biology research and contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans.
Additionally, they will collaborate with other research teams within MoEP, particularly in astrobiology studies related to marine biology, to coordinate their activities and further their efforts.
If you’re interested in this field, joining MARBIT could be a fantastic opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and make a difference in the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans.