The talent and quality of the work developed at the Gandia Campus of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) have once again received significant external recognition. In the 8th edition of the Awards from the College of Environmental Scientists of the Valencian Community, two Bachelor’s Theses (TFG) and one Master’s Thesis (TFM) linked to this Campus have been distinguished among the best in the entire Valencian Community.
These awards annually recognize academic excellence in Environmental Sciences, highlighting research that provides solutions to real-world challenges in areas such as sustainability, biodiversity, and land management.
Award-Winning Final Degree Projects: Solutions to Environmental Problems
In the Final Degree Project category, the jury awarded first prize to Laura Jordá Albero for her project entitled: “Action Plan for Improving the Situation of a Territory Regarding the Invasive Exotic Species Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) in the Municipality of Alcoy (Alicante).”
This study proposes specific strategies to control the spread of an invasive species that threatens riparian ecosystems, combining territorial analysis, mapping, and ecological restoration measures. The project was supervised by Professor M. Isabel Martínez Nieto.
The jury also awarded an honorable mention to Rosana Estefanía Aguilar Valverde for her Final Degree Project: “Implementation of BREEAM Certification in the Construction of a Hotel in Valencia.” The work addresses the integration of sustainability criteria in the construction sector, one of the most relevant in terms of energy consumption and environmental impact, proposing strategies to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. It was directed by Maite Sebastiá, an expert in environmental assessment and management.
These projects reflect the students’ ability to develop proposals applied to current problems, combining technical rigor with a practical orientation.
Recognition of talent in Master’s studies
In the Master’s Thesis category, the first prize was awarded to Diego Villar López for his work: “Development and analysis of a photo-identification catalog for the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the ZEC ES6200048 Submerged Valleys of the Mazarrón Escarpment.” This Master’s Thesis develops an innovative tool for studying cetacean populations using photo-identification, incorporating advanced techniques such as the use of artificial intelligence. The analysis, based on more than a thousand photographs, allows for the identification of individual dolphins and improves our understanding of the bottlenose dolphin’s population dynamics, contributing to its conservation. Led by researcher Eduardo Belda Pérez.
Training and Research Connected to Sustainability
The presence of these projects among the award winners highlights the quality of training and research at the Gandia Campus, characterized by its applied approach and direct connection to current environmental challenges.
The recognition received in these awards demonstrates not only the excellence of the students but also the faculty’s commitment to supporting projects that generate knowledge useful to society. Furthermore, it reinforces the campus’s role as a leader in areas such as environmental management, the marine environment, and sustainability.
An Impetus for Future Generations
The Gandia Campus congratulates Laura Jordá Albero, Rosana Estefanía Aguilar Valverde, and Diego Villar López on these awards, which recognize their effort, innovation, and commitment to the environment.
These awards undoubtedly serve as an incentive for students to continue developing impactful research, contributing from the university to building a more sustainable future.