Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Sharon Wismer (THS, '01)

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Sharon Wismer (THS, ‘01)
Ecologist, children’s nonfiction author, and passionate environmentalist based in Switzerland

From the shores of South Africa to the classrooms of Tomball, Dr. Sharon Wismer’s journey is one marked by curiosity, courage, and a lifelong love for science. Her family relocated from Durban, South Africa, to the Tomball area, when she was in 4th grade after her father received an international work contract. 

“It was a big change, but Tomball quickly became our new home,” she recalls.  

During her time in Tomball, Sharon attended Decker Prairie Elementary, Beckendorf Intermediate, Tomball Junior High and Tomball High School, graduating amongst the Class of 2001.

In Tomball, Sharon describes herself as a shy and quiet student, but one who thrived thanks to supportive teachers and close friends. 

“My experience in Tomball ISD was incredibly formative,” Sharon said. “I was fortunate to have a lovely group of friends and I genuinely enjoyed going to school.”

She fondly recalls Mrs. Huff’s Biology class, Mr. Eaton’s English class, and especially Coach Morton’s marine biology course, which ignited what would become her lifelong passion for the field. Alongside her academics, she was a dedicated member of the swim team, finding balance and teamwork in the water.

That passion for science, first sparked by exploring the rock pools of Durban as a child, grew stronger through her Tomball education and later carried her across the world. 

“By the time I was a high school freshman, I knew I wanted to become a marine biologist,” she recalls. “My high school marine biology class cemented that path for me.”

After graduating from Tomball High School, Sharon moved to Australia in 2004 with her boyfriend—now husband—where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from James Cook University. After working there as a lab manager for a few years, they relocated to Switzerland - her father’s home country. It was there that she completed both her MSc and PhD in behavioural ecology at the University of Neuchâtel in 2017, focusing on reef fish cognition and the impacts of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.

Today, Dr. Sharon Wismer is an ecologist, children’s nonfiction author, and passionate environmentalist based in Switzerland. Her research has centered on the behavioral ecology of reef fishes and the effects of environmental stress on coral reef ecosystems. She currently serves as a scientist at the University of Neuchâtel, where she leads a science communication project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The project aims to create a direct “scientist-to-public” channel for environmental education, making emerging scientific ideas accessible to broad audiences.

Alongside her research career, Sharon has become a celebrated author, inspired by her dual role as scientist and mother. 

“My own kids, with their curious minds and endless questions, are my first and most important inspiration,” she said.

She has written several children’s books, including Keepers of the Reef and Wildlife in the Balance: The Species that Shape Earth’s Ecosystems, which bring complex ecological concepts to life for young readers.

“As a scientist, I also realized how much valuable research is locked away in academic literature, inaccessible to the general public,” she notes. “My books are designed to bridge that gap.”

Her books have been recognized internationally, with Keepers of the Reef named a 2023 finalist for the Green Earth Book Award, and Wildlife in the Balance shortlisted in 2025 for both The Week Junior Book Awards and the Wainwright Prize for children’s nonfiction.

“The most rewarding part of my career has been the opportunity to share the wonder of science with others,” Sharon reflects. “I believe that all children are born naturalists. It’s our job to nurture that innate sense of wonder.”

From her days as a Tomball High School student and swim team member to her work on coral reefs around the world, Dr. Sharon Wismer’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity and perseverance. Today, she lives in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, with her husband, two children, and a house full of pets—still inspiring the next generation of scientists, storytellers, and naturalists.

You can learn more about her work and books at seakidsalliance.com or on Instagram @seakidsalliance.