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My CV

Academic Qualifications

2014 - 2020       

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in biology of populations, genetics, and eco-ethology

PSL Research University, Paris, France

Thesis title: Mechanisms of coexistence: A multi-disciplinary investigation of sympatric juvenile reef sharks.

PhD supervision: Prof. Serge Planes, Prof. Yannis Papastamatiou

               

2010 - 2012             

Master of Science (MSc) in Animal Biology

University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Thesis title: Has resort related large-scale mangrove habitat destruction resulted in a change in the prey community and therefore in a dietary shift of nursery bound juvenile lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris.

Supervision: Prof. Walter Salzburger, Prof. Samuel Gruber

2006 - 2009           

Bachelor of Science (Bsc) in Cell Biology

University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

Thesis title: Immunocytochemical Investigation of the Renin Angiotensin System in Kidney Tissue of normotensive, treated and untreated double transgenic Rats (dTGR).

Supervision: Prof. Hans Imboden

Research Positions and Work Experiences

 

07/2022 – present         

Soneva (Republic of Maldives) - Senior Director Marine Science

Leading and coordinating all scientific research pertaining to the environmental health of marine ecosystems around  Soneva resorts, managing a team of marine biologists involved in marine research and guest services, and responsible for all R&D functions and guest activities related to marine biology in all Soneva resorts. www.soneva.com

01/2021 – present         

Sail and Explore Association (Switzerland) - Scientific expedition leader

Leading scientific expeditions for an association committed to marine science and conservation with a special focus on plastic pollution, sharks, and rays. www.sailandexplore.com

10/2020 - 01/2021         

Physioshark, CRIOBE (French Polynesia) - Postdoctoral researcher & project leader 

Assessing the effects on climate change on the physiology and ecology of reef sharks. Supervision: Dr Jodie Rummer, Dr Serge Planes wwww.physioshark.com

06/2020 - present          

Medical Laboratory Dr. Risch (Liechtenstein) - Research fellow & study coordinator

Coordinating and managing medical studies to investigate a) the genetic and phenotypic determinants of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors (GAPP Study), and b) to test the utility of a fertility bracelet (AVA, Switzerland) to diagnose and monitor symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 (COVI-GAPP Study). Supervision: Prof. Dr. med. Lorenz Risch.  www.blutdruck.li  www.covi-gapp.li

10/2014 - present

Ornella C. Weideli (Switzerland) - Scientific communicator

Raising awareness of sharks and marine environments through outreach events (e.g., presentations, seminars), compiling non-peer reviewed articles, and participation in podcasts, interviews, vlogs, and documentaries.

06/2020 - 08/2020           

Erfolgswelle AG (Switzerland) - Fundraising coordinator

Fundraising for new, innovative, and scientific film productions.

11/2016 – 04/2017           

CRIOBE (French Polynesia) - PhD Research

Coordinating and conducting fieldwork for my PhD project entitled: Mechanisms of coexistence: A multi-disciplinary investigation of sympatric juvenile reef sharks. Supervision: Dr Jodie Rummer, Dr Serge Planes

12/2014 - 06/2020       

SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre (D’Arros Island, Seychelles) - PhD Researcher

Coordinating and conducting fieldwork for my PhD project entitled: Mechanisms of coexistence: A multi-disciplinary investigation of sympatric juvenile reef sharks. 

Supervision: Dr Serge Planes, Dr Yannis P. Papastamatiou

12/2013 – 05/2014           

CRIOBE (Moorea, French Polynesia) - Research Assistant & Study Coordinator

Coordinating and conducting the sampling of juvenile sicklefin lemon, Negaprion acutidens, and blacktip reef sharks, Carcharhinus melanopterus. Supervision: Dr Serge Planes

11/2013                             

SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre (D’Arros Island, Seychelles) - Marine Ecologist & Research Assistant

Analysing blood and plasma samples for medical and diagnostic tests. Supervision: Dr. Ute Weidemann, Prof. Dr. med. Lorenz Risch

03/2012 - 12/2012

Medical Laboratory Dr. Risch (Bern, Switzerland) - Laboratory Assistant

Movement assessment of sub-adult and adult reef sharks Supervision: Dr James Lea

01/2012 – 02/2012           

Lemon Shark Aggregation Study (Florida, USA) - Marine Ecologist & Research assistant

Tagging and tissue sampling of adult sharks, deployment of acoustic receiver, and fishing. 

Supervision: Dr Samuel Gruber, Dr Steven Kessel

01/2011 – 08/2011           

Bimini Biological Field Station (Bimini, Bahamas) - MSc Researcher

Dietary investigation in juvenile lemon sharksSupervision: Dr Kristine Stump, Dr Samuel Gruber

06/2010 – 12/2010           

Pathology Länggasse (Bern, Switzerland) - Laboratory assistant

Preparation and dispatch of medical diagnostic results. Supervision: Dr Hans Jörg Altermatt

10/2009 – 12/2009           

Bimini Biological Field Station (Bimini, Bahamas) - Research intern

Assistance in fieldwork related work. Supervision: Dr Samuel Gruber, Dr Kristine Stump

01/2010 – 04/2010

08/2009 – 10/2009           

Gymnasium Bern Kirchenfeld (Switzerland) - High school teacher

Teaching classes and practical courses in zoology, ecology, cell biology, immunology, and genetics. Supervision: Dr Heinz Stöckli & Franz-Xaver Troxler

06/2005 - 06/2013             

Café Aarbergerhof (Switzerland) - Bartender and waitress

Long-term employment as a bartender and waitress

Grants, Awards and Sponsorships

 

05/2019                             

Travel Award: Flying Sharks

Participation in the American Elasmobranch Society (AES) meeting, Snowbird, Utah, USA: 220 €

03/2018                           

Travel Award: CRIOBE

Participation in 7th Rencontres de l’Ichtyologie en France (RIF), Paris, France: 530 €

07/2017                             

Travel Award: Women in Marine Science

10th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC), Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia: 550 €

06/2017                            

Travel Award Flying Sharks

10th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC), Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia: 550 €

06/2017                             

Travel Award: CRIOBE

10th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC), Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia: 1000 €

08/2016                           

Save Our Seas Foundation Keystone Continuous Grant 

PhD project at the SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre: $7,750

06/2016                             

AES Student Travel Award

American Elasmobranch Society (AES) meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA: $500

05/2016                             

Mares and Fourth Element

Dive Equipment sponsorship for several features in the media

04/2016                             

Travel Award from CNRS/CRIOBE

13th International Coral Reef Symposium, Hawai’i, USA: 804 €

03/2015                            

Travel Award from the École Doctoral of the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE)

32nd meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society, New Orleans, USA: 300 €

02/2015                             

Travel Award from the Ecole Doctoral of the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE)

13th International Coral Reef Symposium in Hawai’i, USA: 800 €

12/2014                              

Save Our Seas Foundation Keystone Continuous Grant 

PhD project at the SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre: $13,880

05/2014                             

Basler Stiftung für biologische Forschung Grant

PhD project at the SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre: $4,000

03/2014                             

Save Our Seas Foundation Travel Award

Sharks International meeting in Durban, South Africa: $1,000

03/2014                              

Save Our Seas Foundation Keystone Grant

PhD project at the SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre: $35,000

07/2013                              

AES Student Travel Award 

American Elasmobranch Society (AES) meeting, Albuquerque, NM, USA: $800

10/2012                              

Taiwan Youth Trekker Award

Financial support to explore the Taiwanese fisheries and shark landings: $2,500

08/2012                           

Reisefonds für den akademischen Nachwuchs der Universität Basel, Switzerland.       

American Elasmobranch meeting, Vancouver, Canada: $2,000

02/2011                              

Swiss Shark Foundation Research Grant 

Master project at the Bimini Biological Field Station: $4,000

For a more detailed CV, please send me an email.

Photo © Rainer von Brandis | SOSF

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