Our story
Jan, shark specialist
Ocean lover
The air is filled with the sound of waves gently crashing against the hull. On board the large
wooden sailing boat, people dressed as pirates are serving drinks to the grown-ups, and
there is music and games for the little ones. None of it interests my six-year-old self. It is the
first time I truly experience the magic of the ocean, and I am instinctively drawn to it. I will
never forget the moment the first dolphins appeared, leaping joyfully out of the water and
racing our boat. That moment sparked a passion that still burns deep inside me today.
Scientist
Before going deeper into marine science, I started my academic career as a bachelor’s 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 focused mostly on the concept of ecosystem services and the application of geographic information systems. Spending time in Australia as an exchange student and intern finally allowed me to combine my terrestrial studies with 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’s, I enrolled in the International Erasmus Mundus Master “Marine Biological Resources”. The programme is the result of a cooperation between several leading European universities in marine biology and allows its students to move between different institutes over the course of the semesters. Through those years, I build a very personal and unique combination of skills and expertise. Majoring in applied ecology and conservation, I focused on the establishment and management of marine protected areas (MPAs), alongside courses on stakeholder engagement, species distribution modelling and the monitoring of marine megafauna.
Following a series of internships in shark research, I went on to complete my PhD at CRIOBE (France/French Polynesia), studying behaviour in wild bull sharks in Fiji. In particular the differences between individuals of the same species, often termed personality. Working closely with a small eco-resort, I spent nearly two years on Kuata Island, out in the water with these incredible animals.
Conservationist
I have developed not only 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. We as humans need to understand that protecting, conserving and restoring our natural systems is, above all, about saving ourselves. Nature will sooner or later always bounce back, the ones who suffer are us.
Through my work, and in my personal life, I am eagerly trying to play my small part: helping to preserve what still remains, and to protect and restore where possible. I want future generations to experience a world full of natural wonders, just as I had the chance to. Not everyone needs to be a scientist or an activist. I believe in the power of small changes, in our day-to-day decisions. If we as a collective became more aware of our daily actions and behaviour, it would mean a great change for our planet.
Juliette, coral reef passionate
Mermaid soul
My body and soul were always linked to the water world for as long as I can remember. Whether it’s in a swimming pool or the sea, I am always looking for the inner peace sensation and out-of-reality experience I get once I immerse myself in this universe. For me, the ocean is tranquillity but yet still rough, it is the perfect illustration of anger and softness duality. I am alive only next to it.
Growing up in Brazil the ocean took an important place in my childhood and teenage years. Most weekends and holidays were spent exploring the underwater universe, following fishes, digging up shells and spending hours kneeling in tidal pools searching for all life I could find. Any discoveries and creatures seen came with a huge smile on my face and a sprinted run towards my family to tell them all about it. And nowadays I still do all of it, even the running part when I can. The major difference is that today my playground became a study field and a workplace.
Marine field exploration
Even though I felt deeply connected to this environment, being a marine biologist never crossed my mind after high school. In fact, it only happened 2 years into my Earth and Science bachelor’s when I thought “Wait a minute, I could actually study marine life and work in this field for a living”. Not needed to say I quickly booked diving and conservation training in the Philippines (Marine Conservation Philippines) and then my love relationship with corals began. I knew I wanted to learn as much as I could about these beautiful organisms to help protect them, save them, and bring awareness to their existence, state and importance.
During my IMBRSea MSc., I studied transplantation techniques for one of the most harvested gorgonian species worldwide, the red coral (Corallium rubrum). I learnt different restoration techniques and how critical the condition of Mediterranean sea corals is. This only motivated me, even more, to pursue research on corals and contribute as I can to marine conservation and awareness.
Life goal
Through my following work, I studied different environments giving me a wider set of skills in understanding not only benthic organisms but other marine species as well. I want my work to contribute to the marine environment by doing meaningful research which will hopefully help conservation and bring awareness to how people see and relate to the ocean. Hence why it is crucial for me to communicate and share science, as so many people are far away from it.