About

Ocean lover. The air is filled with the sound of waves gently crushing against the hull. On-board the large, wooden sailing boat people dressed as pirates are starting to serve drinks for the grown-up´s. There is music and games for the little kids too. None of it seemed to interest my 6-year old me. It was the first time I truly experienced the magic of the ocean, I was instinctively drawn to it. I will never forget the moment when the first dolphins appeared, jumping joyfully out of the water racing our boat. This moment sparked an everlasting passion that is still burning deep inside me today.

Scientist. Before going deeper into marine science, I actually started my academic career as a bachelor student of Physical Geography and Landscape Ecology in Germany. Although living a relatively "landlocked"-life, I enjoyed the practical approach of the teaching and the complexity of the subject. Through my studies I focussed mostly on the concept of ecosystem services and the application of geographic information systems. Spending time in Australia as exchange student and intern finally allowed me to combine my terrestrial studies and my interest in the marine realm as part of my final bachelor project: "Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem Services in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park"

After finishing my bachelor, I enrolled in the International Erasmus Mundus Master "Marine Biological Resources". The programme is a result of a cooperation between multiple leading European Universities in the sector of marine biology and allows its students to join different institutes throughout the semesters. It enabled me to acquire a very personal and unique combination of skills and expertise. Majoring in applied ecology and conservation, my main focus was set on the establishment and management of MPA´s including courses on stakeholder engagement as well as species distribution modeling and the monitoring of marine megafauna. 

Following a series of internships in the area of shark conservation and research, I am now enrolled as a PhD-student at CRIOBE (France/French Polynesia). During the next years I will focus on personality differences and behaviour in wild bull sharks in Fiji. Collaborating closely with a small eco-resort, I will spend around 8-9 months a year at Kuata Island (Fiji) to study these incredible animals and carry out my field work. 

Conservationist. Through the course of my studies I have not only developed the ambition to learn as much as I can about our complex marine systems, but also a deep urge to protect and conserve what fascinates me so much. From my own personal motivation, nature´s sheer beauty alone would be reason enough to fight for its protection. However, we as humans need to understand that the protection, conservation and restoration of our natural systems is most of all saving and benefitting our own species! Other species do not care about extinction, nature itself will sooner or later always bounce back - the ones that suffer are we humans.

Through my work as well as through my personal life, I am eagerly trying to play my little part - help preserve what still is, try to protect and restore where possible. I want my kids and even my grandkids to experience a world full of natural wonders, just as I had the chance too. Not everyone needs to be a scientist or an activist. I believe in the power of small changes, our day-to-day decisions. If we as a collective start to be more aware of our daily actions behaviour, it would mean a great change for our planet.