Jeanine Brantschen

Jeanine Brantschen (she/her) is interested in the measurement and interpretation of aquatic biodiversity using environmental DNA (eDNA) methods. With a background in community ecology, she is fascinated by how aquatic communities are assembled, composed, and organized in space. Her focus is on developing methods for monitoring marine ecosystems that can be easily implemented where data are scarce or challenging to gather. 

As an undergraduate, Jeanine studied molecular and cell biology at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. For her master’s degree, she shifted her focus to ecology and evolution with a specialty in aquatic ecosystems. 

Jeanine completed her PhD at the Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology and University of Zurich where she conducted biodiversity monitoring for a federal water quality assessment. Specifically, she investigated how eDNA samples can help assess anthropogenic impacts on fish and macroinvertebrate communities. This work helped bridge the gap between molecular methods and applied environmental management by ensuring biodiversity data supported stakeholder needs.

After completing her PhD, Jeanine worked as a lab project manager with SimplexDNA AG, a start-up based at ETH Zurich that works towards making eDNA biodiversity data globally accessible. She worked on a variety of projects spanning different ecosystems, interacting closely with researchers, conservation practitioners, and environmental agencies. This experience deepened her understanding of the challenges and opportunities in translating eDNA-based biodiversity assessments into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.

At the Center for Ocean Solutions, she is excited to keep exploring a longstanding fascination with how we measure and interpret diversity across levels of biological organization and to enhance the accessibility and impact of new technology for ocean conservation.