Paola Reale

Management of Business Development Activities in the Asia-Pacific Region & Strategical Partnerships advisor for aquaculture and fisheries activities across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, both with private and public sectors.

Geographical targeted areas: Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific. Specific area of expertise: - Ecology and aquaculture biologist by training; - Scientific background integrated to political strategy at international and European level; - Aquaculture and Fisheries programs and projects management; - Improving Capacity Development Impact; - Leading capacity building initiatives; - Research for Policy Strategies; - Interest in innovative sustainable solutions for boosting the Blue Economy sector; - Chairing scientific working groups; - Project proposals (various funding sources) and grants writer ; - Member of Food Nutrition and Security Task Force; - Scientific websites design; - Blue Economy and Bioeconomy specialist; - Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning,in particular for Capacity Development activities; - International Research and development cooperation; - Working experience in the following sectors: Aquaculture, Fisheries, Nutrition, Food Systems, Gender, Capacity Development, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change, Youth, Governance and Partnerships.

Coordinating the capacity development efforts under the FISH CRP program and looking for new opportunities to support developing countries capacity by strengthening knowledge and facilitating the access to it.

Paola Reale is currently working for WorldFish as Research Programs Manager supporting the results-based management of the CGIAR Research Program on Fish Agrifood Systems (FISH), the WorldFish research strategy and leading the Capacity Development work. The aim is to facilitate an inclusive management process for aquaculture and small-scale fisheries research that builds a results-oriented culture of research from proposals through planning to delivery and reporting. Key Responsibilities: - Annual research plans for CRP FISH and WorldFish; - Developed of the Capacity Development Strategy and Community of Practice; - Developed the Program website; - CRP FISH Management Committee and Independent Steering Committee Secretary; - Partnerships engagement and implementation: contribution to fundraising by identifying and liaising with potential donors, supporting researchers in development of priority research proposals and fund raising initiatives. - Budget management; - Supervision of research support staff and ensure coordination with research program leads; research staff and Country Directors.

Policy Officer for the Directorate General of Research and Innovation of the European Commission. Contribute to consolidate the blue growth-enhancing research and innovation potential through relevant policy initiatives as well as a consistent implementation of the H2020 Blue Growth cross-cutting area. Specific area of competence: - co-chair of the AORA aquaculture working group ( cooperation in aquaculture research with US -NOAA- and Canada - DFO); - in charge of cooperation in aquaculture research with countries bordering the South Atlantic Ocean; - part of the Bioeconomy Task Force; - part of the Food Nutrition and Security Task Force; - Horizon 2020 work programme co-drafter; - EU projects extraction, analysis, and consequent research communication; - in charge of the algae sector for the Marine Resources Unit; - link to several BBI (bio based industries) activities with the marine sector (e.g algae biorefineries).

Contribute to the work of the setting up of the Bio economy Observatory Project for the DG Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and provide support to Unit activities related to "Support to Innovation Union": - support to data collection and data analysis under the three pillars "research", "policy", "markets" in particular related to the marine sector, fisheries and aquaculture which are integral part of the bioeconomy; - monitor the bioeconomy development at EU, Regional, National and International level; - stakeholders relations management and stakeholders mapping under the JRC Bioeconomy Observatory project, in particular support to establishment and maintenance of a "network of partners" for the Bioeconomy Observatory; - communication and cooperation with Commission's Services, Member States, International Organisations, NGOs, Industry and Research representatives; - events and meetings organisation.

Assisting the Fisheries Policy Officer, for the European Bureau of Conservation and Development (EBCD), in monitoring the development of the main issues related to fisheries and aquaculture at the EU and international level. Attending the main meetings related to fisheries and aquaculture (PECH/ACFA/RACs/RFMOs). Producing daily press reviews; monthly newsletters; database for data classification; and detailed reports of the meetings.

Working in the Aquaculture Laboratory of the Division of Forestry at West Virginia University (WV, USA) helping from physical/chemical analysis to animals supervision (blood sampling, surgeries, etc.). Assistant to the Director of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Management in scientific articles reviewing, exams correction, stream surveys (stock assessment, electrofishing, measurements and sediment analysis).

Consultancy work to strengthen fishery products health conditions and management in diverse ACP/OCT Countries with different NGOs. I have collaborated in collecting data on key indicators as well as provided organizational back up and support to training and dissemination activities targeting competent fisheries and aquaculture authorities.

Volunteered on a project for the preservation of sea turtles in Laganas Bay on the Island of Zakynthos (Greece). Responsible for performing bacteria analysis for unhatched turtles’ eggs; measuring and tagging turtles during their REM phases while spawning; and active protection of the nests both during day and night. Furthermore, in charge of lecturing basic marine conservation biology in order to generate awareness among tourists of the existing issues related to endangered species as Carretta carretta.

Title of the Research: REMAINING AT SEA: Wellbeing Perception and Aspirations of the Young Fishers of Penang, Malaysia

Motivated by the current climate change the Research Thesis focused on: "Genetic Basis for Thermal Tolerance in Two Different Strains of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Case Western and Kamloops".

Research Thesis Title: "Comparison between conventional aquaculture and organic aquaculture for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) through morphometrics (shape) and physiological parameters"

Research Thesis Title: "Analysis of the relations between environmental variables and the distribution of the Macrobethonics populations into the streams of the Lazio Region - Italy"