Tamaki Bieri

Tamaki Bieri is a Ph.D. candidate in Biology at Stanford University. Her research focuses on identifying the cellular mechanisms of coral bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures. She hopes this research will help identify molecular markers that can be used as an early warning system for coral die-off and improve conservation of marine ecosystems.

Through her research and interdisciplinary collaborations, Tamaki has developed a passion for science policy and public outreach. In a time where science and technology are present in every aspect of our lives and environmental problems are increasingly prevalent, she believes that it is vital for both policy makers and the public to be able to make informed decisions that lead to sustainable solutions. She hopes to contribute to this effort by facilitating the communication between scientists and non-scientists. With this in mind, Tamaki participates in the Reactive Reefs project, which aims to improve public understanding of how both natural and human pressures affect coral reefs using research results and multimedia. She has also written two articles for SAGE (Sound Advice for a Green Earth), the environmental advice column in the Stanford Magazine.

Tamaki was born in Zurich, Switzerland and later moved to Nagoya, Japan where she started a 12-year career in competitive figure skating. She competed at the national level and placed ninth at the senior level at the Swiss figure skating championships in 2006. She has also performed at Art On Ice in Zurich.

Tamaki earned a Bachelor's degree in biology from ETH Zurich in 2008 and a Master's degree in biology with a major in neuroscience from ETH Zurich in 2010. She is also a recipient of the 2010 International Fulbright Science and Technology Award. Tamaki is fluent in Japanese, German, and English and also speaks some French.