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 sharks. Supervision: 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