Using photographs taken of the hull during an underwater hull inspection or samples of a ship's hull collected during an underwater hull cleaning, I determine when and where marine hull growth formed. This can clarify whether the owner of the vessel improperly handed over the vessel or whether the charterer neglected their obligations to keep the hull clean. This can provide decisive evidence in a legal disputes. This type of report is still relatively unknown, and I am pioneering the field successfully.
Biological projects focusing on ecology, evolution, and diversity research often have a genetic or genomic component. If a project has difficulties acquiring students or staff to carry out these components, I can support them. I have ample expertise in barcoding, whole genome sequencing, population genetics and genomics. Ideally, I would consult the project from the proposal stage to identify the most suitable methods to the data analyses and writing stages for a seemless workflow and most relevant results.
I am motivated by curiosity and a strong desire to solve problems. From a young age, I was fascinated by the ocean and its incredible diversity, which led me to study biology. I earned my PhD from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs 😉), specializing in evolutionary research, population genetics and genomics, and aquatic invertebrates. With my background, I am well-qualified to provide scientifically sound assessments of ship hull fouling and to advise on or conduct genetic and genomic work (see my CV).
🧬 Expertise in population genetics and genomics since 2012
🦀 Taxonomic expert for barnacles and marine invertebrates since 2009
🧬 Biodiversity genomics consultant since 2023
⚓ Hull fouling assessments since 2022
🥼 Group leader of museomics and population genetics at the Zoological Museum of the Kiel University, 2022 - 2025
🥼 Postdoctoral researcher at the Zoological Museum of the Kiel University, Germany, 2017-2021
🥼 Postdoctoral researcher at the University of California at Davis, USA, 2016 - 2017
🎓 PhD in Marine Genetics at the University of Georgia, USA, 2010-2016
🎓 Diplom (= masters) in biology at the Kiel University, Germany, 2005-2010. Grade 1.0
🎓 Abitur at the Hermann Tast Schule in Husum, Germany, 2005. Grade average 1.6