Presentation
Pollution is one of the most pervasive threats to biodiversity, yet assessing its ecological impact remains costly and complex. In the SHARKSense project, we explore an unconventional but promising bioindicator: skin darkness. Sharks, as meso-apex predators, accumulate heavy metals from both their environment and the food chain. Intriguingly, melanin - a pigment responsible for dark coloration - can bind and sequester these toxic compounds. Could pollution be driving the evolution of darker-skinned individuals?
SHARKSense investigates this question by integrating computer vision, evolutionary biology, biochemistry, and fieldwork to uncover correlations between melanin deposition, skin darkness, and pollution. By spanning taxa, geography, and time, we aim to determine whether integument color can serve as a reliable, non-invasive proxy for ecosystem health, beginning with a foundational framework that links pigmentation patterns to environmental stressors. This talk will introduce SHARKSense, present preliminary findings, and discuss how pigmentation might offer a scalable tool for ecological monitoring, bridging molecular mechanisms with conservation strategy. Jonathan will further share anecdotes from the field, from how we can improve conservation efforts and methods adjustments, to managing a consortium of NGOs, universities, and institutes spread across seven countries and four continents. ?
Speaker
Jonathan Goldenberg is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oslo and part of the DSTrain program. After completing a PhD at Ghent University on how color traits shape reptile evolution and ecology under changing climates, he held postdoctoral positions at Ghent University and Lund University. With a background spanning physics, natural sciences, and tropical biodiversity, Jonathan has worked across five continents on projects ranging from snake toxin evolution to reef shark ecology, driven by a broad interest in how environmental pressures influence vertebrate diversity.
Program
11:30?– Doors open and lunch is served
12:00?– "SHARKSense: Reading the ocean through the colors of sharks" by?Jonathan Goldenberg (Postdoctoral Fellow, CEES - Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis)
This event is open for all students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and everyone else who is interested in the topic. No registration needed.
About the seminar series
Once a month, dScience will invite you to join us for lunch and professional talks?at the Science Library. In addition to these, we will serve lunch in our lounge in Kristine Bonnevies house every Thursday. Due to limited space (40 people), this will be first come, first served.?See how to find us here.
Our lounge can also be booked by?PhDs and Postdocs on a regular basis, whether it is for a meeting or just to hang out – we have fresh coffee all day long!