I'm interested in how the rapidly developing field of genomics can contribute towards the
conservation of biodiversity. During my PhD at Leiden University, the Netherlands, I applied various genetic techniques to gain insights into the distribution of genetic variation in the lion, and its consequences for conservation prioritization. For a postdoc at the City College of New York (USA) I moved to community-level analyses and integrated genomic data with environmental information to look for signatures of local adaptation in 27 co-distributed species from the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. I then moved to Copenhagen University, Denmark, to apply larger-scale genomic data sets from a range of African and Asian species. Currently, I’m affiliated with the National Centre for Biological Sciences in India as a Research Associate, working on several large carnivores, with a specific focus on genetic rescue. In addition, I work on generating genetic tools, like genetic panels, which can be used for cost-effective monitoring, population size estimates, connectivity assessments, forensic applications etc.
To further contribute to on-the-ground conservation, I chair a foundation, the Leo Foundation. With this foundation, we aim to translate scientific findings to applied conservation action, and to promote capacity building and outreach across range countries, in close collaboration with local partners.