Meet the Team
Bettina Thalinger
I am a Senior Scientist focusing on the detection of trace amounts of DNA from environmental samples to study species distributions, interactions, and diversity. I mostly work with water or dietary samples to develop molecular assays for the reliable detection of both individual species and entire species communities.
Most of my work is centered around vertebrates and their foraging ecology, distribution patterns in space and time, and sex-specific differences. I enjoy working with community scientists and translating scientific findings into guidelines for species monitoring and conservation. Currently, I am based in the Applied Animal Ecology Research Unit at the University of Innsbruck (Austria).
In eWHALE I act as project coordinator and provide expertise on the development and application of eDNA-based methods and the implementation of citizen science activities.
Link: http://bettinathalinger.com
Bettina Thalinger
Project Coordinator, University of Innsbruck
Mónica A. Silva
I'm a Cetacean Behavioural Ecologist. In eWHALE, my research focuses on investigating the potential of eDNA for individual identification, and for determining kinship and genetic diversity within sperm whale social units.
Link: https://whales.scienceontheweb.net/index.php
Mónica A. Silva
Senior Research Associate, University of the Azores
Jon-Ivar Westgaard
My scientific background are from population genetics where I graduated from the University of Tromsø in 2009. Since 2018 I have been using the analysis of eDNA to characterize diversity in both vertebrates and invertebrates northern Norway fjords and the Barents Sea.
Jon-Ivar Westgaard
Researcher, IMR Tromsø
Arianna Azzellino
I have been involved with the issue of the environmental management since 1996. My main research activities are 1) the analysis, monitoring and modelling of environmental data relating to different environmental compartments, 2) scenario analysis and modelling of pollution phenomena to support the assessment of impacts and intervention alternatives / land use, 3) Environmental risk assessment and forecasting, habitat modelling of sensitive species, identification of polluting sources, multi-criteria analysis to support the planning and management of environmental resources and biodiversity.
In eWHALE, I will be involved in the integrative analysis of the datasets obtained by established methods (visual observations, biodiversity data) and eDNA sampling (individual identification, megafauna detections and semi-quantitative estimates, prey diversity) and will also lead WP5 (eDNA and citizen science as drivers for monitoring and management at the seascape level), in close connection with the whale watching companies participating in eWHALE and with support by partners with citizen science expertise (UIBK, UI, IFREMER, INRAE). The results of this activity will enable to evaluate the socio-economic implications, the potential for conservation decisions by the widespread use of eDNA, and the possibility of incorporating citizen science eDNA assessments with the conventional biodiversity assessment performed by institutional agencies.
Link: https://onlineservices.polimi.it/manifesti/manifesti/controller/ricerche/RicercaPerDocentiPublic.do?evn_PRODOTTI=evento&lang=EN&k_doc=7339
Arianna Azzellino
Professor, Politecnico di Milano
Emer Rogan
I am Head of Zoology and Ecology at UCC. I work on marine mammal ecology and biology, marine mammal fisheries interactions and the functioning of marine ecosytems, relating dietary analysis to bioaccumulation, migratory patterns and oceanographic and bathymetric parameters. I am also interested in marine fisheries management and ways of improving fisheries, in particular the ecosystem approach to fisheries management. In this project the UCC team, in conjunction with whale watching companies will determine whether it is possible to use eDNA to identify individuals and examine population structure of a number of whale, dolphin and shark species on the south and west coast of Ireland. eDNA will also be used to examine prey species.
Link: https://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/people/emerrogan/
Emer Rogan
Professor, University College Cork
Verena Trenkel
I'm a senior researcher at the French research institute for the exploitation of the sea (Ifremer). I'm a quantitative ecologist and work on developing methods for marine ecosystem and population assessments. I carry out field work to gather knowledge and test new observation methods, primarily in the Bay of Biscay. In eWHALE I will be involved in the porbeagle case study, contributing her field and data analysis experiences.
Link: https://annuaire.ifremer.fr/cv/16675/en/
Verena Trenkel
Senior Researcher, Ifremer
Marianne H. Rasmussen
I am the director at the University of Icelands research center in Húsavík and is hired as a research professor at University of Iceland.
In eWHALE, we will take eDNA samples and compare with whale biopsies and work closely with the whale watching company, North Sailing for citizen science and eDNA samples.
Link: https://english.hi.is/staff/mhr
Marianne H. Rasmussen
Director, Húsavík Research Center, University of Iceland
Erwan Quéméré
I am senior research scientist at INRAE based in Rennes in the lab DECOD (Dynamics and sustainability of ecosystems: from source to ocean). I am applying molecular biological techniques and methods in population and quantitative genetics to questions in evolutionary ecology and conservation biology. Over the last decade, I developed eDNA methods to characterize fish/mammals assemblage structure in rivers/lakes, survey invasive species/pathogens and study interactions between predators and prey communities in freshwater or marine ecosystems.
In eWHALE, I will be involved in the eDNA method development (for fingerprinting individuals and assessing intraspecific genetic diversity from sea samples) and in data analysis with a focus on porbeagle in the Bay of Biscay.
Link: http://www.quemere.fr/
Erwan Quéméré
Senior Researcher, INRAE
Hayley O' Connell (They/Them)
I obtained my undergraduate degree in Microbiology from University College Cork. During my studies I undertook research projects in areas of environmental microbiology (e.g analysing soil samples for antibiotic production) as well as the human microbiome. My final year project centred around designing a clinical trial to investigate if the use of a certain probiotic intervention could restore the vaginal microbiota of patients undergoing radiation therapy for cervical cancer treatment and as a result, lessen the risk of associated adverse effects of radiation treatments.Following my undergraduate degree, I was elected as the Communications & Engagement Officer for UCC Students' Union where I acted as a representative for the student body, leading out on communications, campaigns, lobbying efforts and engagement with local and national media.I decided to morph my passions - science, microbiology, communication, public engagement, policy and climate justice - and become a marine biologist. The ocean has always been close to my heart and I grew up with a fascination for all sea life, now the question is how can we protect it? My masters thesis will look at utilising eDNA to detect the Basking shark (Cetorhinus Maximus) in Irish waters and use DNA metabarcoding to analyse prey so that we can enhance our knowledge of this vulnerable species and ensure its protection in our waters.
Hayley O' Connell (They/Them)
MSc Student University College Cork
Teddy Urvois
Teddy Urvois is an environmental scientist at the DECOD lab at the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE) in Rennes, France. His previous research focused on entomology, biological control and biological invasions. During his PhD, he studied the invasion of two ambrosia beetles originating from Southeastern Asia to trace their invasion route using genomic markers and identify the suitable areas for both species according to present and future climates. In the eWhale project, he will work on developing and using eDNA methods to study the population genetics and ecology of porbeagle sharks.
Teddy Urvois
Postdoctoral researcher
James McKenna
I'm a postdoctoral researcher with a background in population genetics of ancient populations and marine biology. As a field biologist I have studied wildlife in both the arctic and antarctic, from the Namib desert to the mountains of Central Asia. My passion however lies in developing novel statistical tools to explore evolutionary dynamics over time. Currently based at IMR in Tromsø (Norway), my role in the eWHALE team is to study the eDNA samples, using integrative approaches to investigate the diversities of whales, sharks, and their prey
James McKenna
Postdoctoral researcher
Maria Inês Pinheiro da Silva
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Algarve and I recently finished my Master’s degree in Integrated Ocean Studies from the University of Azores. My Master’s thesis focused on habitat modelling and spatial ecology but during this time at the Azores I’ve also gained a particular interest in genetics having worked in the Azores Deep-Sea group, doing DNA barcoding of cold-water corals. In the eWHALE project I’m combining multiple long-term photo-identification datasets to analyze the social structure of sperm whales in the Azores, which will then be compared with the results from the eDNA and biopsy analysis.
Maria Inês Pinheiro da Silva
Research Fellow, University of the Azores
Mario Gabualdi
I’m a marine biologist with a strong background in molecular ecology and marine biodiversity monitoring. In recent years, I have worked across academic and NGO settings on a range of projects, from whale population genomics in the North Atlantic to field-based marine mammal research in the Mediterranean. Within the eWhale project, I am analysing biodiversity data collected from eDNA samples in the Northwest Mediterranean Sea. I’m especially interested in merging molecular tools with spatial analyses, to better understand ecosystem dynamics and trophic interactions.
Mario Gabualdi
Research Fellow, Politecnico di Milano
Lauren Rodriguez
I am a Marine Biologist specializing in the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) collected from large water bodies. My primary focus is on monitoring the spatial and temporal distribution of fish and marine mammal populations. Recently, I completed my master's degree, during which I designed and implemented an eDNA field survey in the Chesapeake Bay, which is recognized as the largest estuary in the United States. I have also served as a researcher for the Chesapeake DolphinWatch program, an initiative which involves collaborating with citizen scientists to track bottlenose dolphins using a mobile application. Presently, I am a researcher at the Applied Animal Ecology Research Unit located at the University of Innsbruck in Austria. In my role at eWHALE, I conduct fieldwork, engage with citizen scientists, and develop laboratory and bioinformatic protocols for extracting population-genomic information from marine mammal eDNA samples.
Link: https://www.uibk.ac.at/de/zoology/forschung/applied-animal-ecology/group-members/lauren-rodriguez/
Lauren Rodriguez
PhD candidate, University of Innsbruck
Belén García Ovide
I am a marine biologist, wildlife guide and experienced sailor based in Iceland who works in ocean conservation and sustainability in the Arctic. I received my MRM in Coastal and Marine Management from the University of Westfjords, Iceland studying marine acoustics, in particular whale watching boat noise and effects on humpback whales. I have worked on several traditional sailing ships, exploring some of the remotest areas in the world (including both poles), gathering relevant scientific data and leading citizen science programs. In 2017, I started working as a wildlife guide during whale watching tours and sailing expeditions in the Arctic for North Sailing, and more recently also as environmental advisor. In 2019, I founded Ocean Missions non-profit organization in Husavík, Iceland, where through a combination of research, citizen science, education and traditional sailing, my mission is to inspire the world to take direct actions to protect the oceans.
In eWHALE, I represent North Sailing as a whale watching company and commercial partner. Additionally, I'm a PhD candidate in the project and my aim is to integrate the emerging eDNA and citizen science toolkits into the creation of a necessary co-management strategy for the development of marine biodiversity protection plans in Iceland.
Link: https://www.northsailing.is/whale-watching-tours/
Belén García Ovide
North Sailing, Ocean Missions & PhD Candidate
Lorenzo De Bonis
I am a marine biologist, graduated from the International Master of Science in Marine Biological Resources (IMBRSea), a joint Master program organized by eleven universities across Europe. I always had a close connection to the sea, developed through my love for sailing and freediving. From a young age, I have volunteered and worked in multiple environmental organizations that have as the main aim the conservation of marine megafauna, ultimately becoming a whale watching guide for the WWF Italy citizen science project "Le Vele del Panda". In the eWHALE project, as a PhD student at University College Cork, my aim is to establish the use of eDNA to identify individuals and examine population structure of multiple cetacean species living off the southwest Irish coastline.
Lorenzo De Bonis
PhD candidate, University College Cork
Eleonora Barbaccia
I am a Marine Biologist with a strong commitment to marine biodiversity and its conservation. I hold an international master's degree in Marine Sciences from the University of Milano-Bicocca and I am currently pursuing a PhD at Politecnico di Milano. Within the eWHALE project, I am primarily involved in public engagement activities aimed at enhancing environmental awareness and encouraging participation in marine conservation. My research also focuses on collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) samples in the Mediterranean Sea and optimising protocols for eDNA collection on whale-watching platforms, in collaboration with the University of Innsbruck and the University of Iceland, where I had the opportunity to spend a research period abroad. Beyond research, I am a scuba diving Instructor who loves teaching safe and respectful ocean practices, and turning science into accessible stories to make conservation tangible and inclusive.
Link: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eleonora-Barbaccia-2?ev=hdr_xprf
Eleonora Barbaccia
PhD candidate, Politecnico di Milano
Maria R. Iversen
I'm a Cetacean Behavioural Ecologist. In eWHALE, I'll investigate the potential of eDNA for individual identification, for male/female ratio and genetic diversity within the NEA Blue whale population. Introducing eDNA sampling during field work campaigns, will be a vital part of my contribution to the project.
Maria R. Iversen
Project researcher, Husavik research Center, University of Iceland
Nic Slocum
I have been watching marine mammals around the UK and Irish coast from boats for over 35 years. In 2004 I set up Whale Watch West Cork and have been running whale and dolphin watching tours from Southwest Ireland for the past 18 years. I am a passionate exponent of the sustainable development of boat based cetacean watching and believe that commercial whale watching boats provide excellent platforms of opportunity to gather basic data on cetaceans and other marine wildlife; data that may well contribute significantly to management and conservation strategies for marine ecosystems down to the species level. Whale Watch West Cork, working with Emer Rogan and her team from University College Cork, will provide boat based platforms for the gathering of eDNA and other data, during their whale watching tours as part of the eWhale project.
Link: http://whalewatchwestcork.com/
Nic Slocum
Whale Watch West Cork
Enrico Villa
As a co-founder and manager of CW Azores, I will allocate boat time and resources to provide the eWHALE project with the best opportunities for eDNA sampling and strive to implement in the Azores the citizen science strategy of our consortium. Being the research director in our company, I will supervise the eDNA sampling operations and train our staff members and students. Lastly, as a senior programmer and web developer, I will help maintaining the project's online presence.
Link: https://www.cwazores.com/
Enrico Villa
CW Azores
Maude Jahoda
Maddalena “Maude” Jahoda is lead resercher for the Tethys Research Institute within the e-Whale project.
She has collaborated with Tethys since the Institute’s establishment and she is involved both in research and in public awareness. She is senior researcher and member of the management of the Cetacean Sanctuary Research, Tethys’ long-term project in the NW Mediterranean. Since 2012 she is the Tethys Research Institute’s communication manager.
She has worked on cetacean surveys in various parts of the Mediterranean Sea and, since 1990, mainly in the Ligurian Sea. In 1992 she has founded and directed a sub-project centerd around the behaviour of fin whales, developing a new, non-invasive, method of passive tracking for the monitoring of short-term reactions to human-caused disturbance.
As a professional journalist she has worked in science dissemination for magazines and newspapers, and authored popular science books, mainly on whales and dolphins.
Link: https://tethys.org/
Maude Jahoda
Tethys Research Institute
Per Arneberg
I am an ecologist working mostly with assessing the state of marine ecosystems and is interested in eDNA as a means of improving ecosystem-based monitoring in a cost efficient way.
Link: https://www.hi.no/en/hi/about-us/employees/per-arneberg
Per Arneberg
Researcher, IMR Tromsø
Germain Boussarie
I am a researcher at the French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer) in Nantes where I work on the interactions between fishing activities and high trophic-level species, mostly marine mammals and elasmobranchs.
In previous works, I explored new monitoring methods such as environmental DNA monitoring and seascape genetics to gather knowledge on elusive species such as sharks, alongside traditional ecological survey methods (e.g. baited remote underwater cameras).
In eWHALE, along with the DECOD team, I contribute to achieving new methodological goals using eDNA to study the population genetics of porbeagle sharks.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Germain-Boussarie
Link: https://www.umr-decod.fr/en/people/525
Germain Boussarie
Researcher, Ifremer
Loïc Baulier
I am a researcher at Ifremer based in Lorient in the Fisheries Biology and Technology lab which is part of the DECOD (Dynamics and sustainability of ecosystems: From source to ocean) research unit.
Elasmobranchs (skates, rays and sharks) are my field of research. I mainly work on assessing the status of their populations and study their ecology.
In the eWHALE project I will be involved in the case study of porbeagle in the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel, a migratory shark species that can occasionally be observed relatively close to the shore, and I will essentially work on data analyses.
Link: https://www.umr-decod.fr/en/people/405
Loïc Baulier
Researcher, Ifremer
Michael Traugott
I am a professor for Applied Zoology at the University of Innsbruck and leads the Applied Animal Ecology Research Unit at the Department of Zoology. I have a long-standing interest and expertise in molecular methods to monitor organisms in various ecosystems and to gain a better understanding how species interact in food webs. Additionally, I'm a co-founder and the CEO of Sinsoma GmbH, a University of Innsbruck Spin-Off, which provides DNA/RNA techniques to practical applications in environmental management. During a family holiday on the Azores Islands I conceived the initial idea for eWHALE. In the project, I'll provides both my scientific and business expertise to the consortium.
Link: https://www.sinsoma.com/
Michael Traugott
Professor, University of Innsbruck, Sinsoma
Rebecca Niklas
Since childhood, I have been fascinated by the variety of different environments and their living organisms, and I loved exploring them. With my Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany, I began to turn this fascination into knowledge. During my Bachelor’s thesis, I focused on population genetics and learned the importance of considering genetic data when designing conservation measures. In addition to my thesis work, I gained practical experience in population genetics, including all necessary lab work and subsequent data analysis. I enjoy working on the interplay between genetics and conservation measures to support entire ecosystems.
In my role at eWhale, I use eDNA metabarcoding to analyze marine biodiversity in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas, with a focus on potential prey organisms of marine mammals.
Rebecca Niklas
MSc Student, University of Innsbruck
JJ Cotter
I have worked as a Boat Skipper and Diver for over twenty years and I am very passionate about the ocean and the environment. My background is in Environmental Science but I am currently studying for a MSc in Marine Biology at University College Cork (2022/2023). I have worked with Whale Watch West Cork for a few years as a boat skipper and guide. I am very excited to be involved in the eWHALE project.
Link: http://whalewatchwestcork.com/
JJ Cotter
Whale Watch West Cork
Philipp Hobmeier
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Innsbruck, and I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Zoology at the same institution. In collaboration with OceanMissions, I completed a two-month internship in Húsavík, Iceland, where we combined eDNA sampling from humpback whales with citizen science efforts. My Master's thesis focuses on molecular sexing and haplotyping.
Philipp Hobmeier
MSc Student, University of Innsbruck
Lea Reheis
From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by animals and the ocean. During my Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Innsbruck, I discovered my passion for marine biology, and gained hands-on experience through several research projects. As a Master’s student in Zoology, I am now diving deeper into the field that inspires me most. Currently, I am working on a project study investigating the population genetics of blue, fin, and humpback whales in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Lea Reheis
MSc Student, University of Innsbruck
Jack McKee
I recently graduated from Queen's University Belfast with a BSc in Marine Biology. I have worked with the Ballinderry Rivers Trust (BRT) across multiple projects that aim to protect a variety of habitats and endangered species like the freshwater pearl mussel. Through BRT and my part-time job in Armagh Observatory and Planetarium I have gained valuable practical experience in science communication to people of all ages and backgrounds. As an MSc student at University College Cork working on the eWHALE Project I aim to use eDNA to detect and analyse bottlenose dolphin populations in the Shannon Estuary.
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