About me

As a marine biologist, now emeritus Professor at the ‘Université Libre de Bruxelles’, teaching and research were thus my job. I used to teach biogeography, zoology (functional evolutionary approaches) and the biology of symbioses. My research was concerned by the biology of marine benthos (more particularly of echinoids) through morphological and functional observations. I published papers and some books. I also participate to scientific journeys and expeditions (Galapagos, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Mauritania, the Caribbean, Antarctica, Kerguelen). 

I enjoy taking pictures, a way to catch life instants, the mood of a place, the details of colour, design, texture … but I am not a professional photographer.

When I was a child, I wanted to be an explorer!

Interest in underwater life is surely linked to my childhood memories. I was made aware to the aquatic world thanks to my father who was passionate about the sea, observant and curious. My parents, both divers, took my brothers, my sister and me everywhere. During the summer holidays, we would leave in a family convoy, transporting camping and diving equipment on the roof of the van, which towed an old wooden boat transformed into a sailboat and this, on the roads of Italy, Spain, Brittany… .



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You can contact Chantal by email: hello@cderidder.ovh