Sharon Wismer

Post Doc

Sharon spent her childhood between the Swiss Alps and the shores of Durban, South Africa, where exploring local rock pools ignited her passion for marine life. After completing her BSc in Marine Biology at James Cook University in 2007, she happily managed The Bellwood Lab for next 2.5 years. Sharon subsequently moved back home to Switzerland and finished her MSc and PhD under the supervision of Prof. Redouan Bshary, at the University of Zürich and the University of Neuchâtel, respectively, where she investigated the decision strategies and cognitive abilities of cleaner fish, Labroides dimidiatus. As of 2017, Sharon is funded by a Swiss National Science Foundation postdoctoral mobility fellowship. Her collaborative project investigates the impact of recent mass bleaching events on reef fishes, with a particular focus on coral-associated fishes. In her free time, Sharon enjoys spending time with her two children and engaging in community outreach projects that educate school aged children in the conservation of the natural world.