Maria O.

Background

About Maria O.

Strategic thinker and collaborative leader, I specialize in driving innovation at the intersection of sustainable aquaculture, seaweed valorization, and circular bioeconomy. With a background in marine and freshwater biology, I’ve built my career around turning complex environmental challenges into applied, cross-sectoral projects with tangible, lasting impact. I currently manage nationally funded R&D projects in Denmark, coordinating efforts that connect science, industry, and government. Whether it's developing regenerative aquaculture models, unlocking the potential of underused seaweed species, or coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships, I thrive in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments. In parallel, I lead the design and writing of medium to large-scale international funding proposals, including EU and intergovernmental applications. I’ve built and managed cross-border consortia across continents, aligning diverse partners around shared sustainability goals for projects based in Europe, Asia and East Africa. My experience spans the full project lifecycle, from concept development and consortium building, to technical coordination, regulatory compliance, and impact reporting. To me, good project management isn’t just about timelines and deliverables; it’s about people, purpose, and the ability to stay grounded and adaptable when things get messy. That’s where I thrive.