We are deeply honoured to welcome Prof. Ole Seehausen, Professor of Aquatic Ecology and Evolution at the University of Bern and Research Group Leader at Eawag, Switzerland, as a Distinguished Keynote Speaker to the 4th FAR4ViBE Conference 2026.

With over 35 years of pioneering research and more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications, Prof. Seehausen is globally recognized for his transformative contributions to the fields of cichlid evolution, aquatic biodiversity, speciation dynamics, ecological genomics, and freshwater conservation, particularly across the African Great Lakes including Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika.

His ground-breaking discoveries have unraveled the mechanisms underlying rapid adaptive radiation, the genetic architecture of speciation, and the impact of anthropogenic environmental changes on aquatic biodiversity. Prof. Seehausen's research has shed crucial light on how hybridization, sexual selection, sensory drive, and environmental clarity drive the origin and maintenance of extraordinary species flocks in tropical lakes.

At the intersection of evolutionary biology, aquatic ecology, and conservation science, Prof. Seehausen's work provides invaluable scientific foundations for the sustainable management and preservation of freshwater ecosystems. His keynote address at #FAR4ViBE2026 will offer essential perspectives on conserving biodiversity and strengthening social-ecological resilience in Africa's vital aquatic systems.