About Me
Marretje Adriaanse
With the successful completion of two Master’s degrees in Plant Science and Aquaculture & Marine Resource Management, I gained valuable experience in experimental design, fieldwork, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing. My multidisciplinary education allows me to better understand the multi faced and complex sustainability issues our society is facing. I believe holistic solutions are required and that education is one of the most powerful tools at hand. I would like to use my skills to make a positive change through research, science communication and storytelling. I am a strong communicator, team player, facilitator, and organizer and have applied these qualities as a board member of multiple foundations and as an organizer of events.
Experience
The Bark EUROPA is renowned for its transoceanic journeys, solidifying its reputation as a truly seaworthy vessel. As a researcher aboard, I contribute to ongoing collaborations with The Ocean Cleanup, focusing on microplastic pollution research.
In addition to my research, I serve as the lead educator and guide, developing and delivering an onboard educational program. Through marine biology lectures, interactive workshops, and guided discussions, I engage guests in ocean conservation and marine ecosystems, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.
Living and working in a challenging, high-pressure environment for extended periods, I have honed my resilience, adaptability, and leadership skills. I play a key role in maintaining a positive and supportive atmosphere on board, ensuring both crew and guests stay engaged and motivated. While my primary focus is on research and education, I also assist with sailing operations as needed.
ELPG collaborates with local NGOs in Northern Ghana to empower smallholder farmers through training in sustainable agriculture, enhancing their self-sufficiency. I provide strategic guidance, manage communications, and contribute to decision-making to ensure long-term impact and sustainability. Having lived in the region, I gained valuable insights into the local context and the challenges of providing effective assistance in Africa. This experience deepened my understanding of culturally sensitive development and the importance of creating solutions that are both practical and sustainable for the communities we serve.
Kitu Kiblu offers half-day encounter trips, providing visitors with a safe, relaxed, and respectful opportunity to interact with whale sharks. Additionally, they provide internship programs for individuals interested in marine conservation looking to gain skills and experience working at sea.
I managed the day-to-day operations of the business, overseeing encounter trips that facilitate respectful and safe interactions between visitors and whale sharks. Additionally, I was responsable for the training and mentorship of interns.
Diergaarde Blijdorp is one of the Netherlands oldest zoo's and home to over 18.000 animals. As an aquarist at the Oceanium, I managed over 1,000 species of marine life, overseeing animal training, husbandry, and water quality management.
In addition to my technical responsibilities, I played a key role as a motivational team player, fostering a collaborative work environment and ensuring the highest standards of marine animal care and conservation. This experience enhanced my expertise in aquarium operations and logistics, expanded my knowledge of marine life intelligence, and provided valuable insights into the inner workings of a modern zoo.
DRIFT is a leading institute in sustainability transitions, dedicated to accelerating systemic change. I supported the Transition Academy by coordinating and facilitating various educational initiatives aimed at empowering change-makers.
My role involved coordinating between stakeholders, ensuring smooth logistical operations, and supporting the administrative functions of the academy. Through these efforts, I helped facilitate the delivery of programs designed to build the capacity of individuals and organizations committed to driving sustainable change.
REEFOLUTION is dedicated to coral reef restoration through the development and deployment of 3D-printed structures that mimic natural reef conditions, fostering the growth of resilient and biodiverse marine ecosystems. The organization collaborates with local communities and utilizes citizen science, combining innovative technology with community engagement to address the challenges faced by coral reefs and promote their sustainable recovery.
I led and trained the education team by assisting them in developing the educational program on marine biology for local schools, emphasizing the importance of coral reef conservation. Additionally, I assisted with experiments through SCUBA diving.
THE ROPES OF HOPE
The goal of The Ropes of Hope is to halt the decline of the coral reefs at the Mafia Island Marine Park through a holistic approach. Furthermore, it strives to set up a gene bank for future research on spatial genetic variation and coral resilliance to climate change.
I contributed to coral restoration and research at Mafia Island Marine Park, involving tasks such as building coral nurseries through SCUBA diving and handling external communications, including website creation and social media strategy.
The Boerengroep (Peasant Foundation) is a student foundation at Wageningen University that aims to connect the university with the reality and challenges faced by farmers. In this way, they advocate for social, just, and sustainable food production.
I organized events, facilitated debates, and coordinated excursions, serving as the director and project leader for the production of a documentary on the Dutch agricultural policy.
Education
2018-2020
Wageningen University and Research
MSc Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management
Specialisation: Marine Resources and Ecology
Minor: Ecological modelling
Thesis: “Developing a mathematical model to predict production and clearance rates of the sponge C. reniformis in an IMTA-system in Turkey”. I developed a model using data collected during fieldwork in Turkey. Fieldwork included measuring sponge respiration and growth over time under different depths through SCUBA diving.
2015-2020
Wageningen University and Research
MSc Plant Science
Specialisation: Natural Resource Management
Minor: Ecological modelling
Thesis: The difference in food security between smallholder farmers applying compost or mineral fertilizers in Northern Ghana”. I set up a new study in Ghana. Fieldwork included approaching and interviewing farmers, soil sampling, crop analysis, and household health measurements.
Internship at NGO “de Boerengroep” (science communication).
2011-2014
Utrecht University
BSc Biology
Specialisation: Ecology
Thesis: “A study on the correlations between the nematode community and primary decomposers in the soil ecosystem of the nature area de Mossel”. Fieldwork in the Netherlands included soil sampling and laboratory work (PCR).
Certificates
PADI Rescue Diver
PADI Coral Restoration Specialty
EFR Primary and Secondary Care
VMT (Safe Microbiological Techniques)
Manual drivers licence