I am a marine mammal research scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division. I’ve specialised in the movement of whales – where they go, what they do, why they do it and how that helps us understand what is important habitat, overlap with threats and predicting how the changing marine environment will impact whales. Usually my data sets come from satellite tags and the understanding of movement that I can build informs Australia’s conservation and management of our various whale species such as Antarctic blue, humpback, pygmy blue and southern right whales. At the moment, my team and I are working with an amazing team of engineers to develop a drone to collect biopsy samples and deploy satellite tags on whales. This project is the kind of work my team does routinely as innovation is necessary for more effective, safer and less impactful research methods for whale science.
Research keyword: The most mega of the charismatic megafauna
About the BEAKER STREET ROVING SCIENTIST PROGRAM
Each August, hundreds of Roving Scientists descend upon Hobart, filling up pubs and chatting to strangers as part of Beaker Street Festival. Discover a new world down the lens of microscope, and joining the least-boring bar conversations you’ve ever heard and these free (the chats – not the drinks) events.
For Scientists, Beaker Street’s Roving Scientist Program offers an excellent outreach, professional development, and networking opportunity. It’s the nerdiest and funnest way to share your research with the public, expand your network, and be inspired by leaders in all sectors of science and science communication.
