Anne-Fleur Brand
About
PhD candidate in the research group Individual and Population Effects of Multiple Stressors.
After qualifying as a veterinarian from Utrecht University (The Netherlands), I completed a Master's degree in Toxicology & Environmental Health. My research is focused on wildlife disease, environmental toxicology and public health. Previous research projects I worked on include:
- WWF Rivers to Reef to Turtles: improving the understanding of the potential consequences of coastal pollution on marine turtles through identifying correlations between green turtle health and marine water quality (Queensland University, Australia).
- Cardiff University Otter Project: investigating drivers of metal contamination in freshwater ecosystems using the Eurasian otter as a sentinel species (Cardiff University, United Kingdom).
- Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative: investigating Lowland tapir exposure to pesticides and heavy metals in the Brazilian Cerrado (Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas, Brazil).
Prior to pursuing a PhD, I worked as a wildlife veterinarian and as a science teacher in a secondary school in the United Kingdom. The latter boosted my passion for science communication.
As part of COAST IMPACT, I am:
- Investigating the combined influence of pollution and infectious diseases on shorebirds that migrate along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF).
- Investigating the potential of circulating microRNAs as novel biomarkers for immunomodulation.
Read more about COAST IMPACT in the blog "Is weight loss toxic to tiny top athletes?".
Publications
2026
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Brand, Anne-Fleur;
Jaspers, Veerle Leontina B;
Waugh, Courtney Alice;
Klaassen, Marcel.
(2026)
Evaluating microRNAs as biomarkers of immunomodulatory and ecotoxicological effects in avian wildlife.
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral dissertation
2025
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Brand, Anne-Fleur;
Peterson, Silje;
Günzel, Louisa Maria Sophie;
Yap, Kang Nian;
Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej;
Arzel, Céline.
(2025)
Gene expression changes in ducklings exposed in ovo to emerging and legacy per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Academic article
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Brand, Anne-Fleur;
Waugh, Courtney Alice;
Fernandes, Jorge Manuel de Oliveira;
Klaassen, Marcel;
Wille, Michelle;
Jaspers, Veerle Leontina B.
(2025)
Circulating miRNAome of avian influenza-infected ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres).
Journal of Avian Biology
Academic article
2024
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Jaspers, Veerle Leontina B;
Cross, Natalie Marie;
Brand, Anne-Fleur;
Arzel, Céline.
(2024)
Investigation of specific microRNAs in relation to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure and avian influenza infection status in wild mallards (Anas platyrhynchos).
NTNU
NTNU
Masters thesis
2021
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Brand, Anne-Fleur.
(2021)
Er jojo-slanking skadelig for bittesmå topputøvere?.
Forskersonen.no
Popular scientific article
-
Brand, Anne-Fleur.
(2021)
Is weight loss harmful to tiny top athletes?.
Norwegian SciTech News
Popular scientific article
-
Brand, Anne-Fleur.
(2021)
Er vekttap skadelig for bittesmå topputøvere?.
Gemini.no
Popular scientific article
-
Brand, Anne-Fleur.
(2021)
Is weight loss toxic to tiny top athletes?.
NTNU TekNat Blogg
Popular scientific article
Journal publications
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Brand, Anne-Fleur;
Peterson, Silje;
Günzel, Louisa Maria Sophie;
Yap, Kang Nian;
Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej;
Arzel, Céline.
(2025)
Gene expression changes in ducklings exposed in ovo to emerging and legacy per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Academic article
-
Brand, Anne-Fleur;
Waugh, Courtney Alice;
Fernandes, Jorge Manuel de Oliveira;
Klaassen, Marcel;
Wille, Michelle;
Jaspers, Veerle Leontina B.
(2025)
Circulating miRNAome of avian influenza-infected ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres).
Journal of Avian Biology
Academic article
-
Brand, Anne-Fleur.
(2021)
Er jojo-slanking skadelig for bittesmå topputøvere?.
Forskersonen.no
Popular scientific article
-
Brand, Anne-Fleur.
(2021)
Is weight loss harmful to tiny top athletes?.
Norwegian SciTech News
Popular scientific article
-
Brand, Anne-Fleur.
(2021)
Er vekttap skadelig for bittesmå topputøvere?.
Gemini.no
Popular scientific article
-
Brand, Anne-Fleur.
(2021)
Is weight loss toxic to tiny top athletes?.
NTNU TekNat Blogg
Popular scientific article
Report
-
Brand, Anne-Fleur;
Jaspers, Veerle Leontina B;
Waugh, Courtney Alice;
Klaassen, Marcel.
(2026)
Evaluating microRNAs as biomarkers of immunomodulatory and ecotoxicological effects in avian wildlife.
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral dissertation
-
Jaspers, Veerle Leontina B;
Cross, Natalie Marie;
Brand, Anne-Fleur;
Arzel, Céline.
(2024)
Investigation of specific microRNAs in relation to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure and avian influenza infection status in wild mallards (Anas platyrhynchos).
NTNU
NTNU
Masters thesis
Teaching
Courses
Outreach
2025
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InterviewJaspers, Veerle Leontina B; Brand, Anne-Fleur; Brandslet, Steinar. (2025) Det vi trodde var søppel i cellene kan hjelpe oss å forstå fugleinfluensa. Gemini.no Gemini.no [Internet] 06.02.2025
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InterviewBrand, Anne-Fleur. (2025) Why a groundbreaking discovery about tiny RNA molecules may be helpful for humans and wildlife (blog). Norwegian SciTech News Norwegian SciTech News [Internet] 26.02.2025
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InterviewJaspers, Veerle Leontina B; Brand, Anne-Fleur; Brandslet, Steinar. (2025) Can the stuff in cells we thought was junk help us understand virus reactions?. Norwegian SciTech News Norwegian SciTech News [Internet] 14.01.2025
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InterviewBrand, Anne-Fleur; Jaspers, Veerle Leontina B; Brandslet, Steinar. (2025) Researchers explore microRNA's role in bird flu infection. Phys.org Phys.org [Internet] 14.01.2025
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InterviewBrand, Anne-Fleur. (2025) Why a groundbreaking discovery about tiny RNA molecules may be helpful for humans and wildlife. Norwegian SciTech News Norwegian SciTech News [Internet] 26.02.2025
2024
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Academic lectureBrand, Anne-Fleur. (2024) Size Doesn't Matter, Fit Does: microRNAs as biomarkers in wildlife. Against Research Monoculture Symposium , Trondheim 04.12.2024 - 05.12.2024
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Academic lectureBrand, Anne-Fleur; Peterson, Silje; Zhang, Junjie; Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej; Yap, Kang Nian; Arzel, Céline. (2024) From Eggs to Ecosystems Assessing PFAS Effects on Ducklings as a Proxy for Wild Populations. The 2nd Nordic One Health Conference , Steinkjer 29.10.2024 - 31.10.2024
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PosterBrand, Anne-Fleur; Peterson, Silje; Zhang, Junjie; Yap, Kang Nian; Ciesielski, Tomasz Maciej; Arzel, Céline. (2024) Pipping, Hatching, Sex Ratio and Gene Expression Changes in Ducklings Exposed In Ovo to Emerging Per-/Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances. SETAC Europe , Sevilla 05.05.2024 - 09.05.2024
2023
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LectureBrand, Anne-Fleur. (2023) MicroRNAs as biomarkers in wildlife - closing the gap between knowledge and application. Vilthelse og sykdom 31.01.2023 - 31.01.2023
2022
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Academic lectureJaspers, Veerle; Zhang, Junjie; Ross, Tobias; Peng, Hebo; Brand, Anne-Fleur; Asimakopoulos, Alexandros. (2022) Pollution in The Coastal Wetlands of East Asia and The Decline in Migrating Shorebirds – Update on The COAST IMPACT Project. SETAC North America 43rd Annual Meeting (Pittsburgh) , Pittsburgh 13.11.2022 - 17.11.2022
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PosterCosta, Helena; Rogan, Andrew; Zadra, Chris; Larsen, Oddbjørn; Gordó-Vilaseca, Cesc; Lavin, Charles Patrick. (2022) Blowing in the wind: testing a consumer drone for the collection of humpback whales’ blows during the Arctic polar nights. 33rd Conference of the European Cetacean Society 05.04.2022 - 07.04.2022
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InterviewBrand, Anne-Fleur. (2022) Boiling Point Science Podcast. 89.7 Eastside FM 89.7 Eastside FM [Radio] 20.10.2022
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PosterJaspers, Veerle; Peng, Hebo; Zhang, Junjie; Ross, Tobias; Brand, Anne-Fleur; Asimakopoulos, Alexandros. (2022) Pollution in the coastal wetlands of East Asia and the decline in migrating songbirds - First Results of the Coast Impact Project. SETAC Europe 32nd Annual Meeting , Copenhagen 15.05.2022 - 19.05.2022
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PosterBrand, Anne-Fleur; Zhang, Junjie; Klaassen, Marcel; Waugh, Courtney Alice; Jaspers, Veerle. (2022) MicroRNAs: A Link Between Pollution and Disease in Migratory Shorebirds?. SETAC Europe 32nd Annual Meeting , Copenhagen 15.05.2022 - 19.05.2022
2021
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Academic lectureBrand, Anne-Fleur; Zhang, Junjie; Klaassen, Marcel; Waugh, Courtney Alice; Jaspers, Veerle. (2021) MicroRNAs As Biomarkers of Immunomodulation in Migration Champions. SETAC SciCon4 - SETAC North America 42nd Annual Meeting 14.11.2021 - 18.11.2021
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LectureBrand, Anne-Fleur. (2021) PhD candidate Anne-Fleur Brand talks about shorebirds. NTNU Oceans Week 2021 03.05.2021 -
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PosterBrand, Anne-Fleur; Klaassen, Marcel; Nedoluzhko, Artem; Shankregowda, Aruna Mattanavile; Waugh, Courtney Alice; Jaspers, Veerle. (2021) Size Doesn’t Matter, Fit Does - MicroRNAs as Biomarkers of Immunomodulation in Migratory Shorebirds. 69th WDA/14th EWDA Conference 31.08.2021 -
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PosterBrand, Anne-Fleur; Skaalvik, Tonje Gottenberg; Asimakopoulos, Alexandros; Klaassen, Marcel; Waugh, Courtney; Jaspers, Veerle. (2021) Size Doesn't Matter, Fit Does: MicroRNAs as Pollution Biomarkers. SETAC Europe 2021 03.05.2021 - 06.05.2021
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LectureBrand, Anne-Fleur; Klaassen, Marcel; Waugh, Courtney Alice; Jaspers, Veerle. (2021) Assessing the Macro Potential of MicroRNAs As Biomarkers of Pollution. SETAC 10th Young Environmental Scientists Meeting 22.02.2021 - 26.02.2021