I was born in Split, Croatia, where I spent my childhood surrounded by the sea, music and books.
I learned to swim before I learned to walk, and I was always fascinated by the underwater world. When not in the sea, I spent my days playing piano and reading. My favourite were the stories of animals that talk and behave in peculiar ways.
All of this led me to become a marine biologist, ecologist, bioacoustician, musician, award-winning composer, storyteller and educator, amongst many other things.
Some describe me as an interdisciplinary scholar, others as a visionary artist and scientist, once I’ve even been called ‘mad scientist and artist’ on the national TV. On quite a few occasions I was introduced as ‘The Whale Whisperer’, which is not a bad nickname at all 😊
As a life-long seeker of knowledge and truth, I received invaluable lessons from various formal and informal teachings, scholarly and interdisciplinary research, self-studies and explorations… Below you can find a list of my formal education.
Science Education
- PhD student at Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, Scotland
- MSc in Marine Ecology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
- BSc in Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
- Diploma in Education, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Croatia
- Public Engagement with Research Portfolio, University of St Andrews, Scotland
Music Education
- Encanti Music Academy.
- Electronic Music Production at SAE Institute, Belgrade, Serbia.
- Music School Josip Hatze, Split, Croatia (classical piano & music theory).
Field Qualifications
- 3 Star Diver (CMAS)
- Boat Skipper (Adriatic Sea – category B)
- JNCC Marine Mammal Observer
- AECO & IAATO Polar Field Staff
