Dr. José Xavier (PhD, University of Cambridge) is an Associate Professor of the University of Coimbra and Honorary Fellow of the British Antarctic Survey, collaborating with more than 20 countries since 1997. His research focuses in understanding the functioning of the Southern Ocean in relation to the various threats (E.g. climate change, pollution).

José is the head of delegation of Portugal at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, co-founding member of the Portuguese Polar Programme PROPOLAR, member of advisory committee of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) and engaged in various expert and advisory groups of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).

José is the youngest scientist to win the Marta T. Muse Prize for his work of excellence in science and politics in Antarctica.