Sebastián Hernandis is a marine scientist specialized in bivalve ecophysiology, ecological restoration, and nutrient bioextraction, currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC). His research focuses on the restoration of the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and the development of nature-based solutions to mitigate eutrophication in coastal ecosystems, particularly in the Mar Menor coastal lagoon.

Since 2021, he has been a key member of the Mar Menor Oyster Initiative (MMOI), linked to the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA). This initiative aims to restore native oyster populations while enhancing ecosystem services such as water filtration and nutrient bioextraction to improve water quality and ecosystem resilience. Within this framework, Sebastián has led and coordinated several research projects combining field and laboratory approaches.

He has played a leading role in projects such as RemediOS, focused on developing hatchery techniques for producing oyster spat from local broodstock, and RESALAR, a two-year study assessing oyster physiological performance, growth, reproduction, and survival under natural lagoon conditions. His work has also addressed key aspects such as salinity stress and the bioextraction capacity of bivalves under varying trophic conditions.

Currently, he leads the Mar Menor (Murcia) component of the MITOYSTER project, focusing on the evaluation of oyster performance under different contamination scenarios in the lagoon, while other project partners conduct parallel studies in other regions of Spain. He also leads RemediOS-2, which involves the deployment and monitoring of pilot restoration systems, including suspended culture and reef-based approaches. In addition, he is involved in the European project CONTRAST, investigating the biological effects of emerging contaminants in marine bivalves.

Sebastián completed his PhD in 2021 at the Institute for Environment and Marine Science Research (IMEDMAR-UCV), with a Cum Laude distinction. His doctoral research focused on the critically endangered Mediterranean bivalve Pinna nobilis, addressing its population collapse following a mass mortality event and contributing to conservation strategies through combined field monitoring, rescue actions, and laboratory studies on physiology, maintenance, and reproduction. His work also included studies on Pinna rudis as a model species, and the first application of Scope for Growth (SFG) measurements in pinnids.

He began his research career during his Master's Degree in Assessment and Environmental Monitoring of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, where he applied acoustic techniques to monitor endangered species such as P. nobilis and Posidonia oceanica. He graduated in Marine Sciences in 2015.

Throughout his career, Sebastián has developed strong expertise in both field and laboratory research. He has extensive experience in scientific diving and has led numerous field campaigns involving benthic monitoring, and ecological surveys. In the laboratory, he has designed and managed aquaculture systems, including facilities for bivalve maintenance and microalgae production systems.

He has carried out several international research stays, including at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, the Institut Océanographique Paul Ricard, and the Institute of Marine Biology of Kotor, as well as national collaborations with institutions such as IRTA.

His research output includes 18 peer-reviewed publications (12 in Q1 journals), with an H-index of 9 and over 340 citations. He has presented his work at numerous international conferences and has supervised undergraduate research projects, while currently co-supervising three PhD students.

Beyond research, Sebastián is actively involved in knowledge transfer and outreach activities, collaborating with administrations and stakeholders to promote oyster-based restoration strategies. He contributes to science communication through public talks and publications in platforms such as The Conversation, and was awarded the national #HiloTesis prize in 2021 for science communication.