Dr. Maria Azzopardi is Director responsible for Research Internationalisation at Xjenza Malta, where she leads work on international research cooperation, science diplomacy, and research and innovation policy. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Maria has been actively engaged in marine and maritime research cooperation through the H2020 ERA-NETs MarTERA, BlueBio and the Horizon Europe Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership. Within JPI Oceans, she has led efforts to strengthen Malta's engagement in several Joint Actions, including Science for Good Environmental Status (S4GES), Changing Marine Lightscapes and Blue Carbon. Together with outgoing Vice-Chair Dr. Angelo Camerlenghi, she also coordinated the scoping and subsequent Joint Action on Offshore Freshened Groundwater.
Since joining the JPI Oceans Management Board and General Assembly in 2022, Dr Azzopardi has contributed to the platform's development through her active involvement in its governance structures, including the Internal Advisory Committee, of which she has been a member for the past four years. As Vice-Chair, she will bring experience in international research cooperation and science diplomacy, while further strengthening Mediterranean representation within JPI Oceans. Her perspective reflects the opportunities and challenges of the Mediterranean, particularly those facing island states in a region characterised by rich marine biodiversity and substantial environmental pressures.
"JPI Oceans has demonstrated the value of coordinated action in tackling complex marine challenges that no country can address alone. I look forward to working closely with the Chair, Vice-Chair, Management Board, and Secretariat to support JPI Oceans’ continued growth, broaden engagement across regions, and strengthen the contribution of ocean science to sustainable policy and societal impact." stated Dr. Azzopardi.
In addition, Dr. Azzopardi serves as Malta's Alternate Member of the Board of Trustees of PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area), contributing to collaboration across a broad network of countries, institutions and stakeholders throughout the Mediterranean region. This experience further complements her commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of shared research and innovation priorities.
Dr. Koen Lefever is a programme manager at the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO). With more than seven years of experience in international marine research coordination, he has been a member of the JPI Oceans Management Board and General Assembly since 2019 and joined the Internal Advisory Committee in 2024. He holds a PhD in Philosophy of Science.
Over the years, Koen has helped shape JPI Oceans activities addressing some of the most pressing questions around human impacts on the marine environment. He led the S4GES Joint Call and the third Joint Call on Ecological Aspects of Deep-Sea Mining, and he chaired the Governance Council of the S4GES Knowledge Hub too. Today, he chairs the JPI Oceans Deep-Sea Mining International Engagement Hub and serves on the Governance Councils of the Knowledge Hubs on Sea Level Rise and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), both joint initiatives of JPI Oceans and JPI Climate.
“JPI Oceans is more important than ever for the wellbeing of the seas and oceans, as it plays an important role in the development of methods for monitoring the effects of human activity. In that respect, the cooperation between JPI Oceans and JPI Climate is primordial.” Koen said.
Beyond JPI Oceans, Dr. Lefever represents Belgium in European and international organisations and initiatives including the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC-ERIC), the European Marine Board, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the Horizon Europe Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, and the International Seabed Authority of the United Nations.
The election also marks the conclusion of the Vice-Chair mandates of Dr. Angelo Camerlenghi and Dr. Benjamin Kürten. Everyone at JPI Oceans warmly thanks them both for their years of dedicated support and collaboration.
From the left: JPI Oceans Executive Director Dr. Thorsten Kiefer, JPI Oceans Vice-Chair Dr. Maria Azzopardi, JPI Oceans Vice-Chair Dr. Koen Lefever and JPI Oceans Chair Dr. Peter Haugan