CV

PhD Student

Eawag / ETH Zurich

Aquatic Ecology

• Supervisor: Dr. Alexandra Anh-Thu Weber
• Research focus: early-stage invasion dynamics of Quagga mussels in Lake Zurich, genomic dispersal pathways globally and within Switzerland, fecundity and fixation timing of the deep-water morph in Lake Constance
• Methods: field surveys, field experiments, genomic approaches

Master of Science

University of Zurich / ETH Zurich

Aquatic Ecology

• Master’s thesis (60 ECTS): Conservation genomics of the freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina in Switzerland
• Supervisor: Dr. Alexandra Anh-Thu Weber

Bachelor of Science

University of Zurich

Geography & Biology

• Major: Geography (120 ECTS)
• Minor: Biology (60 ECTS)

Scientific Assistant

Jokela Lab & Weber Lab, Aquatic Ecology, Eawag

• Project lead in planning and execution of macroinvertebrate benthic invertebrate survey of Lake Zurich
• Sampling quagga mussels across Switzerland

Student Assistant

Jokela Lab, Aquatic Ecology, Eawag

• Assisting sampling campaigns of invasive species and native freshwater snails
• Administrative work for the Dive Unit of Eawag
• Assisting in selecting and conserving snails; digitizing dissection notes

Office Assistant

Glambou Retail AG

• Assistant to HR Team and Office Management
• Developed and managed customer service structure
• Sales of Glambou jewellery

Temporary Worker during Covid-19

University Hospital Zurich

• Individual patient care
• Accompanying patients and visitors

MoFA Scholarship 2025

Molluskenforschung Austria

“Global and Regional Genomic Insights into Quagga Mussel Invasions”, 3000 EUR

Best Poster Award – Eawag Symposium

Eawag

Poster: ‘Beneath the Surface: Exploring Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Lake Zurich’

Hydrology – Limnology Prize for Best Master Thesis 2024

Hydrobiologie-Limnologie-Stiftung für Gewässerforschung

Master thesis: Conservation genomics of the freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina in Switzerland. Prize: 3000 CHF

Model-Based Demographic Inference from Population Genomic Data

Physalia Course (online)

• Coalescent-based demographic inference from genomic data (SFS methods, PSMC/MSMC2, IMa3)

ETH/Evoltree Winter School: Genomics of Environmental Adaptation

WSL

• Advanced concepts in environmental genomics linking adaptive genetic variation to environmental gradients
• Hands-on training in detecting signatures of selection, including outlier analyses and genotype–environment associations
• Worked with environmental predictors (data availability/limitations, collinearity) and multiple-testing control (false discovery rates)
• Applied approaches for GWAS, genotype–phenotype links, and follow-up analyses; discussed strengths, limitations, and pitfalls of methods

Exchange Eawag and Baudirektion Canton Zurich

Quagga Mussels

Introduction to Population Genomics

Physalia Course (online)

• Comprehensive overview of population genomics methods and their applications
• Hands-on training in analyzing population structure, detecting introgression, and modeling demographic history
• Practical exercises with genome-wide association studies and landscape genomics
• Experience with empirical datasets and bioinformatics workflows for large-scale sequencing data

3rd Genetic Diversity Monitoring Workshop

ETH Zurich

Speciation Genomics

Physalia Course (online)

• Handling NGS data from raw reads to genetic variants
• Applying basic population genetic statistics
• Visualizing genetic structure and inferring demographic history
• Identifying regions under divergent selection or barriers to gene flow

SeeWandel-Climate Thematic Working Group "Importance of the Quagga Mussel"

Eawag

PEAK-Vertiefungskurs V58/26: Quaggamuschel in der Schweiz – aktueller Wissensstand und Weiterentwicklung von Präventions- und Monitoringmassnahmen

Eawag

• Talk: Die Invasion entschlüsseln: Populationsgenomik und Ausbreitung der Quaggamuschel
• Short advanced course covering fundamentals, best practices, and emerging concepts for the prevention and management of invasive quagga mussels in Switzerland (including monitoring strategies for early detection and population dynamics)
• Exchange with authorities, environmental consultancies, and operators of energy and water infrastructure

Biology26

Neuchatel

• Talk: Beneath the Surface: Exploring Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Lake Zurich

Sitzung Cercle Exotique Arbeitsgruppe "Aquatische Neobiota" (AquaNeo)

FEON

• Participated in national exchange on current projects and strategies addressing invasive aquatic species in Switzerland

MoFA-Tagung 2025

Biodiversitätszentrum Oberösterreich

• Talk: Global and Regional Genomic Insights into Quagga Mussel Invasions
• Recipient of MoFA Scholarship, 3000 EUR

Eawag Symposium

Eawag

• Poster: “Beneath the Surface: Exploring Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Lake Zurich”
• Recipient of the Best Poster Award

1st Swiss Lake Day

University Lausanne

• Poster: “Beneath the Surface: Exploring Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Lake Zurich”

Angewandte Naturschutzgenetik für die Praxis

University Berne

PhD Symposium

Aquatic Ecology, Eawag

• Presentation: “Beneath the Surface: Exploring Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Lake Zurich”

Biology25

EPFL Lausanne

• Poster: Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community of Lake Zurich and Obersee

SeeWandel-Climate Thematic Working Group "Importance of the Quagga Mussel"

Eawag

PEAK (Praxisorientierte Eawag-Kurse)

Eawag

• Quaggamuschel in der Schweiz – Grundlagen und Weiterentwicklung von Präventions- und Monitoringsmassnahmen

22nd Swiss Geoscience Meeting

Basel

SeeWandel-Climate Thematic Working Group "Importance of the Quagga Mussel"

Eawag

Fachaustausch Grossmuscheln

Netzwerk Gewässerökologie

PEAK (Praxisorientierte Eawag-Kurse)

Eawag

• Gebietsfremde Arten in Schweizer Gewässern

PhD Symposium Organizer

Eawag

• Organized a symposium with Eawag PhD students and keynote speakers Dr. Jes Hines (Leipzig University), Prof. Levi Yant (University of Nottingham), and Prof. Federico Riva (University of Amsterdam). Managed invitations, logistics, program preparation, and event coordination.

Beyond genetic indicators: how reproductive mode and hybridization challenge freshwater mussel conservation

Molecular Ecology

Faust E, Conrads J, Giulio M, Ciofi C, Natali C, Feulner PGD, Weber A.A-T. *Equal contribution. Submitted manuscript / preprint.

Beyond genetic indicators: how reproductive mode and hybridization challenge freshwater mussel conservation (Version 1.0)

Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology — ERIC Open Data package

Faust E, Conrads J, Giulio M, Ciofi C, Natali C, Feulner PGD, Weber A.A-T. *Equal contribution.

Conservation genomics of Anodonta freshwater mussels in Switzerland (Version 1.1)

Swiss National Biodiversity Data and Information Centres – infospecies.ch, via GBIF.org

Faust E, Conrads J, Feulner PGD, Weber A.A-T. *Equal contribution.

Tutor, Ecology & Evolution: Term Paper and Seminar

ETH Zürich

• Tutoring in the MSc level course Ecology and Evolution: Term Paper and Seminar (Course No. 701-1461-00). Responsibilities include proposing and presenting research topics, guiding a student in developing their term paper and providing feedback.

Co-Supervisor of MSc Student

Jokela Lab, Eawag

• Supervising MSc student A. Püntener on research involving Microsporidia in Dikerogammarus villosus.

Block Course Project Supervision

Eawag

• Supervised three MSc students during the ETH block course Aquatic Ecology (Course No. 701-2437-01L). Responsibilities included teaching benthic macroinvertebrate identification from Lake Zurich samples, guiding data analysis, and grading project work.

Intern Supervisor

Eawag

• Supervised and mentored a high school student intern (Gymnasium Kirchenfeld) for a three-week professional internship; provided guidance in experiment, research tasks, and career orientation.

Umweltbiologie Bachelors Seminarkurse

ETH Zurich

• Guiding third year bachelor’s students in preparing and presenting scientific topics and providing feedback.

Biodiversity Career Day

University Zurich

• Represented Eawag at the Biodiversity Career Day, engaging with students about research careers and opportunities in aquatic science and biodiversity.

Filmed Interview

SRF 1

• Participated in an interview for SRF 1, Radio SRF1.

Filmed Interview

TeleZ

• Participated in an interview for TeleZ, Aktuell, News report at 18:00.

News Article

NZZ

• Participated in an interview for NZZ, “Quagga-Alarm im Zürichsee: Ein klebriges Tierchen wird zur Herausforderung für die Trinkwasserversorgung”, communicating current research of Lake Zurich.

Article

Swiss Fireball Regatta Monthly Edition

• Written interview for Swiss Fireball, “Gekommen um zu bleiben: die Quaggamuschel.”

Filmed Interview

SRF Einstein

• Participated in a filmed interview for SRF Einstein “Invasive Quagga-Muscheln: Kollabierende Seen und Millionenschäden”, communicating scientific research to a broad public audience.

Media Coverage of Research Findings

Quagga mussels in Lake Zurich

• Extensive media coverage reporting our finding of Quagga mussels in Lake Zürich during a benthic invertebrate survey, including: TeleZüri, Tagesanzeiger, NZZ, 20Minuten, Watson.

Ekman Grab Sampling

Lake Zurich

• Performed benthic sampling with an Ekman grab in Lake Zurich, completing 140 individual samples. Operated and navigated an ETH research vessel during field campaigns, ensuring accurate site positioning and efficient sampling.

Diving

Multiple lakes in Switzerland

• Underwater fieldwork in multiple lakes in Switzerland. Tasks included vacuum suction sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates, testing dredge functionality in situ, and retrieving settlement plates to monitor zebra mussel colonization. Additional work involved the collection of quagga mussels and native freshwater snails for research, including specimens supporting a Master’s thesis project (Jokela Lab).

Sampling

Switzerland, Germany, and France

• Collection of both native (e.g., Anodonta sp., Unio sp.) and non-native (e.g., quagga and zebra mussels, Asian clam) freshwater bivalves from multiple sites in Switzerland, Germany, and France. Shallow-water surveys conducted via snorkelling and SCUBA, while deep-water specimens were obtained using dredging methods from Eawag vessels and the R/V Kormoran (ISF, LUBW, Germany).