Biography:
Anita M George is a marine biologist and one of India’s few experts in sponge taxonomy, serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Aquatic Biology, University of Kerala. With a strong foundation in octocoral and sponge systematics, she brings unique expertise to advancing sponge aquaculture in India. Her research integrates taxonomy, growth dynamics, and microbiome studies to optimize farming protocols for commercially valuable and biomedically significant sponges. As India’s first woman scientific diver with SCUBA certification, she combines field experience with laboratory innovation, aiming to develop sustainable sponge-farming strategies that support bioprospecting, pollution mitigation, and future applications in biotechnology.
Title : Exploring the aquaculture potential of marine sponges (Phylum Porifera) in Kerala, India: A focus on growth dynamics and optimization of farming protocols