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Senses are essential for survival; they help animals to orient themselves in their environments, find food, detect predators, find conspecifics and reproduce. I am interested in how animals perceive their environment, with a focus on aquatic animals and chemo-sensation. The importance of chemical communication in the aquatic environment has been over-looked; indeed, aquatic animals use chemical communication in most of their vital process. Anthropogenic disturbances, such as ocean acidification and pollution (e.g., endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, nano-plastics), may disrupt sensory driven behaviour in fish and other aquatic animals. My objective is to fully understand the pathways (at neural, cellular and whole organism levels) - from cause (sensory) to effect (physiology and behaviour), to understand the effects of such disturbances and their possible solutions. I have contributed to several scientific publication, including scientific papers and book chapters. My work was presented in several international meetings. On the last 5 years I have been involved in the training, contributing to teaching activities for undergraduate and master students in cell biology, histology and animal physiology. I was involved in the training and supervision of 18 students of different education levels.
Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Zélia Cristina Pereira Velez

Citation names

  • Velez, Zélia

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
4412-F95B-34A2
ORCID iD
0000-0003-2761-4048

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Marine Biology
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Behavioural Sciences Biology

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
Portuguese Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1)
English Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1)
Spanish; Castilian Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1) Beginner (A1) Intermediate (B1)
French Beginner (A1) Intermediate (B1) Beginner (A1) Beginner (A1)
Education
Degree Classification
2009
Concluded
Neurophisiology (Doutoramento)
Universidade de Evora, Portugal
"Neuronal Mechanisms involved in olfactory discrimination in the Senegalese Sole (Solea senegalensis)" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
Aprovada com Distinção e Louvor
2002
Concluded
Biologia (Licenciatura)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"“Neurodegenerescência induzida pela proteína B-amilóide e do prião. O papel de cinases e fosfatases”" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
17
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution
Employer
2019/02/01 - Current Auxiliary Researcher (Research) Universidade do Algarve - Campus de Gambelas, Portugal
Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Portugal

Others

Category
Host institution
Employer
2012/01/01 - Current Research member of CCMAR Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Portugal
2012/01/01 - 2019/01/31 Pós-Doc Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Portugal
2010/01/01 - 2011/12/31 Research member of CICECO Universidade de Aveiro CICECO, Portugal
2009/09/01 - 2011/12/31 Pós-Doc Centro de Biotecnologia Agricola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo, Portugal
2005/03/01 - 2009/01/28 PhD student Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Portugal
2003/03/01 - 2005/02/28 Research technician - POCTI/CVT/38831/2001 Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Portugal
2002/09/01 - 2003/02/28 Scientific internship (POCTI/NSE/36101/99) Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
Projects

Contract

Designation Funders
2018/06/01 - Current Neuronal effects of ocean acidification in a temperate fish species, Solea senegalensis
PTDC/BIA-BMA/30262/2017
Principal investigator
Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Portugal
Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento da FCT
Ongoing
2022/01/01 - 2024/06/30 Olfactory Disruption in the Ria Formosa? Disrolf
EXPL/BIA-ECO/1161/2021
Researcher
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
Ongoing
2013/07/01 - 2015/04/30 Um novo regulador da puberdade em peixes
PTDC/MAR-BIO/3890/2012
Post-doc Fellow
Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Portugal
Concluded
2003/01/01 - 2006/12/31 The role of olfaction in the feeding behaviour of Solea senegalensis (Pisces)
POCT/CVT/38831/2001 CCMAR
PhD Student Fellow
Centro de Ciencias do Mar, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Book chapter
  1. Kutsyna, Olesya; Velez, Zélia; Canário, Adelino V. M.; Keller-Costa, Tina; Hubbard, Peter C.. "Variation in Urinary Amino Acids in the Mozambique Tilapia: A Potential Signal of Dominance or Individuality?". In Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 13, 189-203. Springer International Publishing, 2016.
    10.1007/978-3-319-22026-0_14
Conference paper
  1. Velez, Zélia; Hubbard, Peter C.; Guerreiro, Pedro M.. "A Comparison of Olfactory Sensitivity in Seawater- and Freshwater-Adapted Bass, Dicentrarchus labrax". 2022.
    10.3390/blsf2022013125
  2. Velez, Zélia; Pinto, Patricia; Martins, Rute; Santos, Soraia; Andrade, André; Gomez, Ana; Zanui, Silvia; Canário, Adelino V. M.. "The involvement of galanin in the reproductive cycle of sea bass". Paper presented in 10th AIEC Congress, 2015.
    Published
Journal article
  1. Zélia Velez; Peter C. Hubbard; Alexandra Alves; Rita Costa; Pedro M. Guerreiro. "Environmental salinity modulates olfactory sensitivity in the euryhaline European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, acclimated to seawater and brackish water". Journal of Experimental Biology (2024): https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.246448.
    10.1242/jeb.246448
  2. Rita A. Costa; Aurora Olvera; Deborah M. Power; Zélia Velez. "Ocean acidification affects the expression of neuroplasticity and neuromodulation markers in seabream". Biology Open (2022): https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.059073.
    10.1242/bio.059073
  3. Rita A. Costa; Zélia Velez; Peter C. Hubbard. "GABA receptors in the olfactory epithelium of the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)". Journal of Experimental Biology 225 3 (2022): https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.243112.
    10.1242/jeb.243112
  4. Velez, Zélia. "Acidification can directly affect olfaction in marine organisms". Journal of Experimental Biology 224 14 (2021): http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.237941.
    10.1242/jeb.237941
  5. Velez, Zélia; Costa, Rita A; Wang, Wenjing; Hubbard, Peter; Zélia Velez; Rita A. Costa; Wenjing Wang; Peter C. Hubbard. "Independent effects of seawater pH and high PCO2 on olfactory sensitivity in fish: possible role of carbonic anhydrase.". J Exp Biol 224 6 (2021): https://jeb.biologists.org/content/early/2021/03/01/jeb.238485.
    Open access • Accepted • 10.1242/jeb.238485
  6. Hubbard, Peter; Velez, Zélia. "Extracellular Multi-Unit Recording from the Olfactory Nerve of Teleosts". Journal of Visualized Experiments 164 (2020): http://dx.doi.org/10.3791/60962.
    10.3791/60962
  7. Velez, Zelia; Roggatz, Christina C.; Benoit, David M.; Hardege, Jorg D.; Hubbard, Peter C.; Velez, Zélia. "Short- and Medium-Term Exposure to Ocean Acidification Reduces Olfactory Sensitivity in Gilthead Seabream". Frontiers in Physiology (2019): https://publons.com/wos-op/publon/33912924/.
    10.3389/FPHYS.2019.00731
  8. Pinto, P.; Velez, Z.; Sousa, C.; Santos, S.; Andrade, A.; Alvarado, M.V.; Felip, A.; Zanuy, S.; Canário, A.V.M.. "Responsiveness of pituitary to galanin throughout the reproductive cycle of male European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)". General and Comparative Endocrinology 250 (2017): 152-161. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85021128172&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.06.009
  9. Medeiros, M.C.R.; Mestre, A.; Inácio, P.; Asgarif, S.; Araújo, I.M.; Hubbard, P.C.; Velez, Z.; et al. "An electrical method to measure low-frequency collective and synchronized cell activity using extracellular electrodes". Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research 10 (2016): 1-8. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84977507609&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.sbsr.2016.06.002
  10. Guerreiro, O.; Velez, Z.; Alvarenga, N.; Matos, C.; Duarte, M.. "Molecular screening of ovine mastitis in different breeds". Journal of Dairy Science 96 2 (2013): 752-760. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84872685500&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.3168/jds.2012-5519
  11. Velez, Z.; Hubbard, P.C.; Barata, E.N.; Canário, A.V.M.. "Olfactory transduction pathways in the Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis". Journal of Fish Biology 83 3 (2013): 501-514. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84883554550&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1111/jfb.12185
  12. Velez, Zélia; Campinho, Marco A.; Guerra, Ângela R.; García, Laura; Ramos, Patricia; Guerreiro, Olinda; Felício, Laura; Schmitt, Fernando; Duarte, Maria. "Biological Characterization of Cynara cardunculus L. Methanolic Extracts: Antioxidant, Anti-proliferative, Anti-migratory and Anti-angiogenic Activities". Agriculture 2 4 (2012): 472-492. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agriculture2040472.
    Published • 10.3390/agriculture2040472
  13. Velez, Z.; Hubbard, P.C.; Hardege, J.D.; Welham, K.J.; Barata, E.N.; Canário, A.V.M.. "Evidence that 1-methyl-l-tryptophan is a food-related odorant for the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)". Aquaculture 314 1-4 (2011): 153-158. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79952740016&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.aquaculture.2011.01.025
  14. Velez, Z.; Hubbard, P.C.; Barata, E.N.; Canário, A.V.M.. "Adaptation to reduced salinity affects the olfactory sensitivity of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858) to Ca2+and Na+but not amino acids". Journal of Experimental Biology 212 16 (2009): 2532-2540. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-68249106494&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1242/jeb.030775
  15. Velez, Z.; Hubbard, P.C.; Welham, K.; Hardege, J.D.; Barata, E.N.; Canário, A.V.M.. "Identification, release and olfactory detection of bile salts in the intestinal fluid of the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)". Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology 195 7 (2009): 691-698. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-67650293846&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1007/s00359-009-0444-5
  16. Barata, E.N.; Hubert, F.; Conceição, L.E.C.; Velez, Z.; Rema, P.; Hubbard, P.C.; Canário, A.V.M.. "Prey odour enhances swimming activity and feed intake in the Senegalese sole". Aquaculture 293 1-2 (2009): 100-107. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-67349247458&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.aquaculture.2009.04.004
  17. Velez, Zelia; Hubbard, Peter C.; Welham, Kevin J.; Barata, Eduardo N.; Hardege, Joerg D.; Canario, Adelino V.; Canario, Adelino V. M.; et al. "Functional asymmetry in the olfactory system of a flatfish, the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)". Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology (2009): https://publons.com/wos-op/publon/5496961/.
    10.1016/J.CBPA.2009.04.089
  18. Agostinho, P.; Lopes, J.P.; Velez, Z.; Oliveira, C.R.. "Overactivation of calcineurin induced by amyloid-beta and prion proteins". Neurochemistry International 52 6 (2008): 1226-1233. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-40949104298&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.neuint.2008.01.005
  19. Velez, Z.; Hubbard, P.C.; Hardege, J.D.; Barata, E.N.; Canário, A.V.M.. "The contribution of amino acids to the odour of a prey species in the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)". Aquaculture 265 1-4 (2007): 336-342. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-34047127292&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.aquaculture.2007.02.029
  20. Velez, Z.; Hubbard, P.C.; Barata, E.N.; Canário, A.V.M.. "Differential detection of conspecific-derived odorants by the two olfactory epithelia of the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)". General and Comparative Endocrinology 153 1-3 (2007): 418-425. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-34547092178&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.ygcen.2007.02.016
  21. Velez, Zélia; Hubbard, Peter C.; Barata, Eduardo N.; Canário, Adelino V. M.. "Evidence for Functional Asymmetry in the Olfactory System of the Senegalese Sole (Solea senegalensis)". Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 78 5 (2005): 756-765. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/432145.
    10.1086/432145
  22. Barata, E. N.; Hubert, F.; Velez, Z.; Hubbard, P. C.; Canario, A. V. M.. "Behavioural and electrophysiological responses to food-related odorants in the Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis". Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology (2005): https://publons.com/wos-op/publon/5496991/.
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2021/10/05 The use of an environmental enrichment modulates the stress response and chemical communication in Senegalese sole Aquaculture Europe 2021
European aquaculture society (Funchal, Portugal)
2021/07/08 Ocean acidification modifies expression of genes related to the thyroid axis and neural plasticity in the Gilthead sea bream Society for Experimental Biology Annual Main Meeting, Virtual Conference
Society for Experimental Biology
2021/07/08 Effects of ocean acidification on olfactory sensitivity in fish Society for Experimental Biology Annual Main Meeting, Virtual Conference
Society for Experimental Biology
2021/07/06 Changes in pH and PCO2 independently reduce olfactory sensitivity in the seabream Society for Experimental Biology Annual Main Meeting
Society for Experimental Biology
2019/08/05 Ocean acidification reduces the olfactory sensitivity in gilt head seabream (Sparus aurata) The 10th International congress of comparative physiology and biochemistry
International Association of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry (Ottawa, Canada)
2019/07/06 Exposure to ocean acidification reduces olfactory sensitivity in gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata Annual meeting SEB 2019
Society for Experimental Biology (Sevilha, Spain)
2015/10/03 Expressão de galaninas e seus recetores ao longo do ciclo reprodutivo de robalo macho Congreso Ibérico de Acuicultura (CIA)
Sociedad Española de Acuicultura (Huelva, Spain)
2008/09/05 Neuronal mechanisms involved in olfactory discrimination in the Senegal sole, Solea senegalensis (Kaup 1858) III Encontro Nacional de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas,
(Faro, Portugal)
2008/07/22 Functional asymmetry in the olfactory system of a flatflish (Solea senegalensis) XV International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste
(San Francisco, United States)
2006/07 Olfactory sensitivity to food-related odorants in the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) 7th International Congress on the Biology of Fish
(Canada)
2004/03 Evidence for functional asymmetry in the olfactory system of the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis): Behavioural implications? Annual main meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology
(Edimburgo, United Kingdom)

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role
Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2023/11 - Current ‘Effects of climate changes in the embrionic development of a shark
Supervisor
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2023/09 - Current Anthropogenic olfactory disruption? The Lusitanian toadfish as a sentinel species
Co-supervisor
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2023 - Current Development and improvement of gamete cryopreservation protocols for elasmobranchs
Co-supervisor
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2020 - 2023 Chemical communication in the Lusitanian toadfish, Halobatrachus didactylus
Supervisor
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2017 - 2019 Neuronal effects of ocean acidification in gilt head sea bream (Sparus aurata)
Supervisor
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2013 - 2015 Characterization of the effects of Cartilage Acidic Protein (CRTAC) on Human Monocytes THP-1 Cells
Co-supervisor
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2009 - 2011 New method of ovine subclinical mastitis diagnosis: conjugation of molecular and spectroscopic techniques
Co-supervisor
Instituto Politécnico de Beja, Portugal

Jury of academic degree

Topic
Role
Candidate name (Type of degree)
Institution / Organization
2020/11/19 Effect of kisspeptin treatment on reproductive traits and chemical communication in Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis, both during puberty and breeding stages
(Thesis) Arguer
Tomás Geraldes dos Santos (Master)
Universidade do Algarve - Campus de Portimão, Portugal
2017/12 Neuronal effects of ocean acidification in gilt head sea bream (Sparus aureate)
(Thesis) Arguer
Wenjing Wang (Master)
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2013/10 “Chemical communication in the Mozambique Tilapia: A role for amino acids?”
(Thesis) Arguer
Olesya Kutsyna (Master)
Universidade do Algarve, Portugal

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2024/01 - Current Histologia cardíaca e dos vasos sanguíneos e formação da placa de ateroma (Mestrado) Universidade do Algarve Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Portugal
2024/01 - Current Histologia e patologia principal do trato digestivo superior Medicina (Mestrado) Universidade do Algarve Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Portugal
2023/12 - Current Histologia do pulmão e vias respiratórias Medicina (Mestrado) Universidade do Algarve Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Portugal
2023/09/01 - 2023/12/15 Impact of ocean warming on embryonic development of small-spotted catsharks IMBRSea (Mestrado) Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2019/11/02 - 2023/11 Animal physiology Biologia Marinha e Pescas, Biologia, Bioquímica, Biotecnologia, Engenharia Biotecnológica (Licenciatura) Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2021/09 - 2023/10 Histology Ciências Biomédicas, Biologia (Licenciatura) Universidade do Algarve - Campus de Gambelas, Portugal
2020/10 - 2023/01 Cell Biology Biologia Marinha e Pescas, Biologia, Mestrado Integrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Biotecnologia, Engenharia Biotecnológica (Licenciatura) Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2022/07/25 - 2022/07/29 Curso avançado “Metabolimics as a tool in Environmental research” (Pós-Graduação) Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
2022/06/12 - 2022/06/16 Curso avançado “Metabolimics as a tool in Environmental research” (Pós-Graduação)

Mentoring / Tutoring

Topic Student name
2017 - 2019 Master supervisor Wenjing Wang
Distinctions

Other distinction

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