Francyne Elias-Piera, PhD

What’s the work that you do?

I am a biological oceanographer and Antarctic researcher working on benthic marine ecosystems and how climate change is affecting biodiversity in polar regions. I have participated in expeditions to Antarctica, conducting fieldwork from research vessels and stations. My work includes collecting and analyzing seafloor organisms, especially peracarids, to understand ecosystem changes.

I am the founder and President of Instituto Gelo na Bagagem, an organization dedicated to science communication about Antarctica and the ocean, bringing scientific knowledge to schools, companies, and the general public. I also work as an environmental and ESG consultant, supporting companies with environmental compliance and sustainability strategies.

What keeps you going?

What keeps me going is knowing that the work done in Antarctica is directly connected to people’s lives, even if most don’t realize it. I like being in the field, collecting real data, facing unpredictable conditions, and understanding ecosystems that are changing fast.

I do what I do because Antarctica plays a key role in regulating the planet, and there is still a gap between science and society. Through my research and my work with Gelo na Bagagem, I want to make this connection clear and ensure that knowledge goes beyond scientific papers, reaches people, and influences real-world decisions.

What’s your message to the world?

Antarctica is not distant. It is part of the system that keeps your climate stable, your oceans productive, and your cities livable.

What happens there is already influencing weather patterns, sea level, and ecosystems far beyond the polar region. Ignoring it doesn’t stop the impact.

My message is simple: understand the connection. Science is not just for scientists. The data we collect in extreme environments needs to reach society, because decisions made far from the ice are shaping its future.