Curriculum vitae
Photo © Ornella C. Weideli
Pictures from my study sites in Seychelles and French Polynesia.
"Growing up in landlocked and mountain-dominated Switzerland did not preclude me from dreaming about the Ocean. On contrary, from early on I was fascinated by the underwater world. This passion has allowed me to start a highly versatile journey..." - Ornella C. Weideli
Academic Qualifications
2015 - 2020: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Biology of populations, genetics, and eco-ethology
École Pratique de Hautes Études (EPHE), Paris, France
Thesis title: Mechanisms of coexistence: A multi-disciplinary investigation of sympatric juvenile reef sharks. Supervision: Dr Serge Planes, Dr Yannis Papastamatiou
2010 - 2012: Master of Science in Animal Biology
University of 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: Dr Walter Salzburger, Dr Samuel Gruber
2006 - 2009: Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology, University of Bern, Switzerland
Thesis title: Immunocytochemical Investigation of the Renin Angiotensin System in Kidney Tissue of normotensive, treated and untreated double transgenic Rats (dTGR).
Supervision: Dr Hans Imboden
Research Positions and Work Experiences
01/2021 – present Scientific expedition leader: Sail and Explore Association, Bern, Switzerland
Leading sceintitifc expeditions for an association committed to marine science and conservation with a special focus on plastic pollution, sharks, and rays.
10-2020 - 01/2021 Postdoctoral researcher & project leader: Physioshark, CRIOBE, Moorea, French Polynesia Assessing the effects on climate change on the physiology and ecology of reef sharks.
Supervision: Dr Jodie Rummer, Dr Serge Planes
06/2020 - present Research study coordinator, Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch, Liechtenstein
Testing the utility of a fertility bracelet to diagnose and monitor symptoms potentially related to COVID-19. Supervision: Prof Dr med Lorenz Risch, Kirsten Grossmann
06/2020 - 08/2020 Fundraising coordinator, Erfolgswelle AG, Switzerland
Fundraising for new, innovative, and scientific film productions.
12/2014 - 06/2020 PhD Research: SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre, D’Arros Island, Seychelles
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
11/2016 – 04/2017 PhD Research: CRIOBE, Moorea, French Polynesia
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
12/2013 – 05/2014 Research assistance, CRIOBE, Moorea, French Polynesia
Coordinating and conducting the sampling of juvenile sicklefin lemon, Negaprion acutidens, and blacktip reef sharks, Carcharhinus melanopterus.
Supervision: Dr Serge Planes
11/2013 Research assistance: SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre, D’Arros Island, Seychelles
Movement assessment of sub-adult and adult reef sharks.
Supervision: Dr James Lea
01/2012 – 02/2012 Research internship: Lemon Shark Aggregation Study, Florida, USA
Tagging and tissue sampling of adult sharks, deployment of acoustic receiver, and fishing.
Supervision: Dr Samuel Gruber, Dr Steven Kessel
01/2011 – 08/2011 M.Sc. Research: Bimini Biological Field Station, Bimini, Bahamas
Dietary investigation in juvenile lemon sharks.
Supervision: Dr Kristine Stump, Dr Samuel Gruber
10/2009 – 12/2009 Research internship: Bimini Biological Field Station, Bimini, Bahamas
Assistance in fieldwork related work. Supervision: Dr Samuel Gruber, Dr Kristine Stump
03/2012 – 12/2012 Research assistance: Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch, Bern, Switzerland
Analysing blood and plasma samples for medical and diagnostic tests.
Supervision: Dr Ute Weidemann, Prof Dr med Lorenz Risch
06/2010 – 12/2010 Medical secretary and assistance: Pathology Länggasse, Bern, Switzerland
Preparation and dispatch of medical diagnostic results.
Supervision: Dr Hans Jörg Altermatt
08/2009 – 10/2009 High school teacher: Gymnasium Kirchenfeld, Bern, Switzerland
Teaching classes and practical courses in zoology, ecology, cell biology, immunology, and genetics.
Supervision: Dr Heinz Stöckli
01/2010 – 04/2010 High school teacher: Gymnasium Kirchenfeld, Bern, Switzerland
Teaching classes and practical courses in zoology, ecology, cell biology, immunology, and genetics.
Supervision: Franz-Xaver Troxler
06/2005 - 06/2013 Bartender and waitress: Café Aarbergerhof, Bern, Switzerland
Long-term employment as waitress and bartender
Grants, Awards and Sponsorships
05/2019 Travel Award from Flying Sharks to attend the American Elasmobranch Society (AES) meeting, Snowbird, Utah, USA: 220 €
03/2018 Travel Award from CRIOBE to attend the 7th Rencontres de l’Ichtyologie en France (RIF),
Paris, France: 530 €
07/2017 Travel Award from Women in Marine Science to attend the 10th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC), Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia: 550 €
06/2017 Travel Award Flying Sharks to attend the 10th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC),
Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia: 550 €
06/2017 Travel Award from École Doctoral of the École Pratique des Hautes Études to attend the 10th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC), Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia: 550 €.
06/2017 Travel Award from CRIOBE to attend the 10th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC),
Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia: 1000 €
08/2016 Save Our Seas Foundation Keystone Continuous Grant for PhD project at the SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre: $7,750
06/2016 AES Student Travel Award to attend the 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 to attend the 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 for PhD project at the SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre: $13,880
05/2014 Basler Stiftung für biologische Forschung Grant for 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 for PhD project at the SOSF - D’Arros Research Centre: $35,000
07/2013 AES Student Travel Award to attend the American Elasmobranch Society (AES) meeting, Albuquerque, NM, USA: $800
10/2012 Taiwan Youth Trekker Award as a financial support to explore the Taiwanese fisheries and shark landings: $2,500
08/2012 Reisefonds für den akademischen Nachwuchs der Universität Basel, Switzerland. Travel grant to attend the American Elasmobranch meeting, Vancouver, Canada: $2,000
02/2011 Swiss Shark Foundation Research Grant for my 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