João Gama Monteiro concluded his PhD in Marine Sciences (Marine Ecology Specialty) in 2014/01/01 at the University of the Azores (Campus da Horta) and his Licenciatura in Biology (Marine Biology Specialty) in 2004 at the University of the Azores. He has published multiple peer reviewed manuscripts in scientific journals, has led, co-coordinated and participated in various national and international research projects and has led and participated in many national and international scientific diving missions and expeditions focused in studying and surveying temperate rocky reefs and coastal ecosystems, tropical coral communities and reefs, coral symbiosis and bleaching mechanisms, biogeographic and ecological patterns, marine invasions, marine litter, anthropogenic pressures and climate change impacts. Since 2016 JGM has been based in MARE-Madeira, where he has focused his research interest in holistic approaches to ecological studies and in the integration of remote sensing from aerial imagery, drones and marine remotely operated vehicles and artificial intelligence for methodological innovation in marine and coastal ecology. Certified drone pilot and proficient ROV operator, has experience in planning and conducting surveys with these technological platforms. In 2021 his work on integrating UAS remote sensing in coastal mappuing [DOI:10.1038/s41598-020- 80612-7] was on the top 5% most dowloaded ecology manuscripts in Scientific Reports [IF 5.134]. With other recent top ranking work published in, Marine Pollution Bulletin [IF /.001; DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113898], Science of Total Environment [IF 7.963; DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147868in and DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142044], Diversity and Distributions [IF 5.139; DOI:10.1111/ddi.13465], and Nature [IF 49.962; DOI:10.1038/d41586-022-00093-8], JGM has authored and co-authored >40 papers in scientific journals. JGM has participated in numerous events as guest speaker and presenter. Currently supervises 2 PhD thesis(es) and is often involved in students field training and activities. Has received 2 awards during his career to visit and join USA institutions. Has produced multiple media content, ranging from underwater imagery for papers, reports and dissemination material to creating demonstration videos for teaching and outreach events. Collaborating with computer scientists, JGM has co-designed and conceptualised mobile apps to allow stakeholder engagement and facilitate Citizen Science as data sources for studies and monitoring of Marine Litter and key indicator species. A Dive Instructor since 2007, has extensive teaching experience in SCUBA and in organising scientific diving missions, activities and training. JGM has been part of multiple scientific diving committees and, since 2017, he coordinates the scientific diving team and activities at MARE-Madeira. JGM has been instrumental in diversifying MARE-Madeira R&D and in applying and capturing funding (e.g. EAPA_46/2016 ¿ CleanAtlantic, HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ACCESS-03 and HORIZON-CL6-2021-BIODIV-01) to expand current research to include remote sensing for marine litter, community ecology and Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services, not only in shallow habitats, but also on mesophytic and deep-sea ecosystems.