Team
Global Science adventurers
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Meet the crew
Paola Catapano
Project leader & science communicator
Paola Catapano is a science communicator at CERN, science journalist, arctic and antarctic reporter, Polarquest project manager and much more.
Mike Struik
Technical Coordinator & Aerial photographer
Mike Struik is an aeronautical engineer, adventure photographer, arctic reporter, delta and drone pilot.
Giovanni Acquarone
Skipper - Best Explorer
Giovanni (“Nanni”) Acquarone is an extremely experienced arctic skipper and sailor.
Nicoletta Martini
Sailor - Best Explorer
Nicoletta Martini is a chemical engineer and expert arctic sailor.
Kevin Monneron
Engineer and Diver
Kevin Monneron is an engineer, free diver and a scientific and technical support with a passion for adventure.
Gianluca Casagrande
Scientific Coordinator & Drone Pilot
Gianluca Casagrande is an Associate Professor and the Scientific Director of Geographic Research and Application Laboratory (European University of Rome).
Christel Hassler
E-DNA & Methane/CO2 researcher
Christel Hassler is a senior scientist in charge of the E-DNA and Methane-CO2 research projects. She is scientific collaborator with the Swiss Polar Institute.
Dominik Palgan
Oceanography & Seafloor mapping expert
Dominik Palgan is a marine geologist & oceanographer from the University of Gdansk, specialist for seafloor mapping, operating Norbit multibeam sonar and analysing data.
Elias Meier
Student Environmental Sciences
Elias Meier is a student of Environmental Sciences with and is prone to outdoor-activities and affinity for eDNA. He will be helping with the eDNA and Methane-CO2 sampling.
Christian Cinetto
Film maker
Christian Cinetto is an Italian film director, writer, and previously a Red Bull TV executive producer. He often looks for unique stories of men and women in strong environments.
Meet the Shore Team
Katarina Anthony
Science communicator
Katarina Anthony is a science communicator at the ATLAS Experiment at CERN, arctic journalist and website developer.
Aleksandra Kruss
Oceanographer
A Svalbard veteran working for NORBIT_SUBSEA and CNR ISMAR, Venice, Aleksandra is a an oceanographer and underwater acoustic expert.
Cristina Agrigoroae
Science writer
Cristina is a science writer working at CERN and photo-journalist with Arctic experience.
Safiria Buono
Microplastic Mantanet operator
Stefano Aliani
Microplastic scientist
Stefano Aliani is the scientific leader of the Microplastic project, as well as a marine biologist, Microplastic international expert, and member of POLARNET.
Ombretta Pinazza
Cosmic Ray Scientist
Ombretta is a researcher at INFN Bologna and working at CERN as an expert in detector control systems. She is also an expert mountaineer and amateur sailor.
Our Talks & Educational programmes
Our team of science adventurers love sharing their experiences and knowledge with people 9 to 90! Through partnered public talks, classroom sessions or science events, the team has a wide range of experience sharing their enthusiasm.
Interested in having a Polarquest adventurer at your next event? Get in touch!
Book an Educational Programme
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