Chapter Heads
Jasmin Groß
Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University
Hey, my name is Jasmin. I am a PhD candidate at Griffith University and study the impact of climate change on the feeding ecology of southern hemisphere humpback whales to gain a better understanding of the health of the Antarctic ecosystem. I like gardening, reading and volunteering my time to STEM education projects and student advocacy.
Rebecca M Boys
Cetacean Ecology Research Group, Massey University
PhD candidate at the Cetacean Ecology Research Group at Massey University, New Zealand. My project will apply concepts of welfare science to examine the behavioural and physiological indicators displayed by stranded cetaceans around the New Zealand coast to inform decision-making at stranding events. The project will inform first aid procedures, and decisions of refloatation versus euthanasia, allowing for personnel to make faster informed decisions regarding prognosis of individuals and improve allocation of refloating effort.
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Courtney Ogilvy
Marine Mammal Ecology Group, University of Aukland
Kia ora, I'm a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland / Waipapa Taumata Rau, in Aotearoa New Zealand. My project is to investigate the foraging ecology of Cephalorhynchus dolphins, with a focus on Hector's and Māui dolphins. I use stable isotope analysis to detect spatial and temporal variation in their diet. This information will be put together with environmental data, and trawl survey data to assess how the diet and species distribution of these vulnerable, coastal dolphins will be affected by climate change.
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Gabrielle Genty
CEBEL & MELFU, Flinders University
Hola, I am Gaby, currently a PhD candidate with CEBEL and MELFU at Flinders University studying gene adaptation and demographic history of blue whales. Using whole-genome data and under the supervision of A/Prof Luciana Möller and Prof Luciano Beheregaray, I aim to investigate the blue whale’s history, including the influence of previous whaling, and assess if the remaining populations will be able to cope with the unavoidable climatic oscillations and predict if there will be any likely shifts in the dynamic of populations.
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Ciara Browne
Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University
Hi, I'm a PhD candidate studying the acoustic ecology of the Omura's whale in Australia. The Omura's whale is one of the most recently described species of baleen whale and we still have a lot of knowledge gaps to fill, especially when it comes to their ecology and behaviour which makes me really excited about my work and what I can find out! The aim of my research is to improve our understanding of the bioacoustics, ecology and distribution of the Omura’s whale in Australia using long-term underwater acoustic recordings collected around Australia over the past two decades.
Sophia Volzke
Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania
With capture histories dating back to the 1960s, Sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island is home to one of the most continuously studied elephant seal colonies. This population has been shown to be in continuous decline, while others are stable or increasing. My PhD project is centered around developing demographic models to understand and identify external climate interactions that are likely influencing this population.
Brodie Elsdon
Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University
Hello! I'm a PhD candidate studying marine mammal bioacoustics, focusing on Australia's socioeconomic value and acoustic ecology of pygmy blue whales. The aim of this research is to facilitate more informed decision-making processes by defining new areas of biological importance, quantifying the exposure to acoustic threats, and investigating the seasonal variability of pygmy blue whale distribution in Australian waters, particularly in areas with increased exposure to threats. I'm also passionate about science communication and education and am a co-founder of the Marine Industry Mentoring (MIM) network, which aims to inspire and create opportunities for early to mid-career researchers wanting to up-skill in the industry.
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Grace Russell
MERC Southern Cross University
My PhD project focuses on the migration timing and body condition of humpback and blue whales in Australia. In 2020 I studied the east coast humpback whales and in 2021 I was collecting data on the west coast humpbacks. In both 2021 and 2022 I collected data on the blue whales in Perth Canyon as well as Geographe Bay. All this information will be put together to help answer questions about potential trade-offs these whales may make between feeding and reproducing.
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