Filipa Afonso is a marine ecologist and postdoctoral researcher at the Marine Institute in Galway, Ireland. Her research focuses on coastal and marine ecosystems, with a particular interest in understanding the benefits these ecosystems provide to local communities and the pressures affecting their functioning.

Filipa’s research career began during her master’s degree, when she investigated the benefits provided by mangrove ecosystems to local communities on São Tomé Island. Her PhD research focused on the Sado Estuary in Portugal, where she explored ecosystem services and their potential role in supporting the sustainable management of estuaries. This work also led her to the field of Ocean Governance, where she advocated for the integration of ecosystem-based management approaches into the management of Portuguese estuaries.

As a member of the Ocean ICU project, Filipa works within Work Package 8, where she is developing a cumulative impact risk assessment of carbon-related functions across the Celtic Seas region. This work aims to identify the main anthropogenic activities and pressures affecting the biological carbon pump in the region. As part of the project, she also works with Fiona Culhane to organise stakeholder meetings that facilitate communication and disseminate project findings.