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
05/2024 - present
Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein) - Research Fellow
Conducting scientific research projects and grant acquisition at the Institute for Laboratory Medicine (ILM).
06/2020 - 04/2024
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). www.blutdruck.li www.covi-gapp.li
Supervision: Prof. Dr. med. Lorenz Risch
10/2014 - present
OCW – Science & Communication (Switzerland) - Shark Researcher & Scientific Communicator
Conducting scientific research through multiple international collaborations and raising
awareness of sharks and marine environments through outreach events (e.g., presentations,
seminars), non-peer reviewed articles, podcasts, documentaries, and vlogs.
07/2022 – 12/2023
Soneva Fushi (Baa Atoll, 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 – 12/2022
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) - Post-Doctoral Researcher & Project Leader
Assessing the effects on climate change on the physiology and ecology of reef sharks. www.physioshark.com
Supervision: Dr Jodie Rummer, Dr Serge Planes
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
Movement assessment of sub-adult and adult reef sharks
Supervision: Dr James Lea
03/2012 - 12/2012
Medical Laboratory Dr. Risch (Bern, Switzerland) - Laboratory Assistant
Analysing blood and plasma samples for medical and diagnostic tests.
Supervision: Dr. Ute Weidemann, Prof. Dr. med. Lorenz Risch
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
Research grants
12/2022
Fürst Franz Josef von Liechtenstein Stiftung for research entitled: “The influence of environmental factors on cardiovascular parameters in the general population» with K. Grossmann & L. Risch ($32,000)
12/2022
Swiss Heart Foundation Research Grant for research entitled “The influence of foehn winds on cardiovascular parameters in the general population» with K. Grossmann & L. Risch ($50,000)
08/2016
Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) Keystone Grant for PhD research ($7,750)
12/2014
Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) Keystone Grant for PhD research ($13,880)
05/2014
Basler Stiftung für biologische Forschung Grant for PhD research ($4,000)
03/2014
Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) Keystone Grant for PhD research ($35,000)
02/2011
Swiss Shark Foundation Research Grant for Master research ($4,000)
Travel awards
05/2019
Flying Sharks Travel Award for American Elasmobranch Society (AES), USA (220 €)
03/2018
CRIOBE Travel Award for Rencontres de l’Ichtyologie en France, France (530 €)
07/2017
Women in Marine Science Award for Indo-Pacific Fish Conference, French Polynesia (550 €)
06/2017
Flying Sharks Travel Award for Indo-Pacific Fish Conference, French Polynesia (550 €)
06/2017
EPHE Travel Award Indo-Pacific Fish Conference, French Polynesia (550 €)
06/2017
CRIOBE Travel Award Indo-Pacific Fish Conference French Polynesia (1000 €)
06/2016
AES Student Travel Award American Elasmobranch Society, USA ($500)
04/2016
CNRS/CRIOBE Travel Award International Coral Reef Symposium, USA (804 €)
03/2015
EPHE Travel Award American Elasmobranch Society, USA (300 €)
02/2015
EPHE Travel Award International Coral Reef Symposium, USA (800 €)
03/2014
Save Our Seas Foundation Travel Award Sharks International meeting, South Africa ($1,000)
07/2013
AES Student Travel Award American Elasmobranch Society, USA ($800)
08/2012
Reisefonds für den akademischen Nachwuchs der Universität Basel American Elasmobranch Society, Canada
($2,000)
10/2012
Taiwan Youth Trekker Award Surveying the Taiwanese fishery landing sites, Taiwan ($2,500)
Sponsorship
05/2016
Mares and Fourth Element Dive and snorkeling equipment for features in the media
For a more detailed CV, please send me an email.
Photo © Rainer von Brandis | SOSF