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The detection of trace amounts of DNA from environmental samples (so-called environmental DNA or short: eDNA) lies at the center of B. Thalinger’s research. She mostly works with water or dietary samples to develop molecular assays for the reliable detection of both individual species and entire species communities. Most of her work is centered around aquatic vertebrate species (i.e. whales, birds and fishes) and their foraging ecology, distribution patterns in space and time, and sex-specific differences. More recently, she has started to broaden the scope of her research to include the monitoring of arthropods using DNA-based methods. Bettina frequently engages with citizen scientists and additionally, translates scientific findings into guidelines for species monitoring and conservation.

At the WCL, Bettina currently continues to lead the Biodiversa+ Project eWHALE (https://www.ewhale.eu/) and has taken over the WCL part in the City Invaders Project (https://www.wwtf.at/funding/programmes/esr/ESR24-005/index.php?lang=EN/) from Simon Vitecek (former QUIVER group leader).

Find out more about Bettina's research at: https://bettinathalinger.wordpress.com/