Monika Goralczyk

Monika Goralczyk is a PhD researcher in the Ecosystems and Landscape Evolution Group at ETH Zurich and a RESPONSE fellow in the PhD program Science and Policy. Her research focuses on using environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor the effects of habitat loss and restoration on vertebrate communities, particularly in Colombian tropical forests. In 2022, she led a major field campaign across six regenerating forest sites, collecting soil and water samples to assess biodiversity patterns through eDNA metabarcoding. Her innovative work combines hydrology-based transport modeling with eDNA data to optimize wildlife monitoring in mountainous catchments. She collaborates with WWF US to develop cost-effective eDNA-based metrics for measuring conservation impact and recently led an 8-day workshop with WWF Bhutan and government representatives. Her project, funded through the EU's Horizon 2020 program, aims to advance eDNA-based indicators for monitoring restoration projects and bridge the gap between scientific research and conservation practice.