Vítor Bruno da Silva Mendes joins PICRC Research Department

At the start of last year, the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) welcomed Vítor “Bruno” da Silva Mendes, as an Aquarist at the Palau Aquarium. Initially working on restoration projects on corals and clams with the Aquarium team, Bruno has since moved to the PICRC Research Department, taking on the role of Researcher.

From Portugal, Bruno pursued his education at the University of Minho in Portugal and the University of Vigo in Spain. He holds two Master’s degrees—the first in Engineering and the second in Marine Biology, where he focused on the effectiveness of Baited Remote Underwater Videos. He also has certificates in SCUBA diving, showcasing his dedication to marine science and underwater research.

“Before I applied for the job at PICRC, I had never heard of Palau but I was fascinated by what I came to learn about the country regarding the commitment to marine conservation,” said Bruno. “Now, I’ve spent the last year working with different members of PICRC on topics from coral restoration to fisheries management.”

Within the Research Department, Bruno works on a variety of projects. He has carried out fieldwork on acoustic receivers, surveys of marine protected areas, reef fish surveys, coral bleaching surveys, and coral monitoring surveys. PICRC is thrilled to have Bruno onboard and is excited to continue to work with him.