our Crew
We are a highly interdisciplinary team of researchers, sailors, and ocean enthusiasts with backgrounds in oceanography, marine biology, molecular biology, nanoscience, polymer chemistry, and toxicology
DR. ROMAN LEHNER
CO-FOUNDER &
SCIENTIFIC PROJECT LEADER
Roman is the co-founder and scientific project leader of the Sail & Explore Association. He researched the topic of micro- and nanoplastics and their possible impacts on human health and designed a worldwide first human 3D in vitro intestinal model to assess the possible adverse effects of ingested microplastics such as inflammatory responses.
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In addition, he is leading a research project at the University of Bern, producing the world's first nanoplastic particles made out of bulk plastic materials, such as food containers, PET bottles etc. that can be used as first marker particles allowing the investigation of possible adverse effects and cellular interactions.
roman@sailandexplore.com
DR. PRESTON SUTTON
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Preston is a polymer physicist, a sailor and an outdoor guide. His research career focused on materials science related to Li-ion batteries, mostly through utilizing nano-scale polymer properties to engineer electrolytes and functional layer forming materials. Recently, he has transitioned away from lab work in favor of field work and ocean conservation on sail boats. His focus is on inspiring thoughtful and effective research to preserve the world’s oceans and natural beauty.
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MSC. JOHANNA WIEDLING
SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION LEADER
Johanna finished her academic career with a Master of Sciences in tropical marine ecology. During her studies Johanna helped raise the conference concept YOUMARES, a conference for young marine scientists and engineers.
She worked for 4 years at the HYDRA institute for marine research as a dive instructor and course guide, manly on the island of Elba (Italy). Today she is a freelance marine ecologist and scientific diver implementing educational programs as well as conducting field experiments. Since about 10 years, she is involved in studies of the fate of (bio-)degradable plastics in the marine environment.
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DR. VALENTINA SCIUTTERI
SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION LEADER
Valentina concluded her studies with a PhD in Marine and Earth Sciences. Her research mainly focused on the response of marine ecosystems to variegated anthropogenic and environmental pressures: Specifically, this included marine litter pollution as well as the biodiversity associated with hydrothermal vents in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. She did most of her research studies at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in Messina, Sicily making the Aeolian islands her home study ground.
LENA SCHAFFELD
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Lena is a marine biology student with extensive experience in research, project management, and marine conservation. Currently, she is writing her thesis on microplastic pollution in the Azores, Portugal together with our scientific collaborator Dr. Christopher Pham.
​​She creates and manages our Social Media content and also produces video trailers for our website.cr
DR. CHRISTOPHER PHAM
SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATOR
AZORES, OKEANOS
Chris is a research associate at the Okeanos R&D Center, University of the Azores. He is leading the marine litter research group that focus their research on understanding the risks of plastic debris for the Azores marine ecosystem. His research includes quantifying the abundance of plastics across different compartments, from the surface down to the seafloor to understand pathways but also the presence of plastics in different key biota. He is the principal investigator of various research projects focused on this topic and on other topic related to human impacts in the oceans.
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DR. KHAY FONG
SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATOR
AUSTRALIA, MONASH UNIVERSITY
Khay is a researcher and lecturer in chemistry at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Through innovative teaching, she hopes that changing habits through education will help to conserve the environment for future generations. Thus, alongside her research into nanomaterials for biomedical applications, she is also interested in understanding the level of microplastic pollution around the Great Barrier Reef with a focus on smaller-sized microplastics below 300µm.
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DR. ELIAV HASKAL
VICE PRESIDENT & ADVISOR
Eliav is a Swiss and USA Innovation Manager currently assisting multiple startups to achieve their entrepreneurial, social and/or commercial goals. As a former scientist, his interests lie in the collection and publication of microplastic research data.