• Research Interests
• Conservation and Sustainability
• Teaching and Supervising
• Personal Interests

Research Interests

My research focuses on the spatial ecology of marine megafauna, including seabirds, marine mammals, sharks, and large predatory fish. I incorporate the functional ecology of a species with their spatial habitat use patterns to reveal how distribution and behavioral patterns alter within a heterogeneous marine environment. For instance, I am particularly interested in how behavior patterns vary with habitat, how spatial scale impacts predator-prey interactions, how species spatially and behaviorally reduce inter- and intra-specific competition, and how foraging strategies change relative to prey availability and spatio-temporal variability.

Most of my research has a conservation application. I frequently develop spatial habitat use models to identify important habitats to be prioritized for protection. I integrate spatially dispersed datasets collected through observational surveys, tagging and tracking, focal follows, and/or opportunistic sightings with layers of environmental (i.e. temperature) and anthropogenic (i.e. fisheries) variables. These methods allow me to identify patterns of distribution and behavior relative to a suite of factors leading to the development of predictive habitat use models.

I believe it is important to have a flexible approach to each new research project because every species, habitat and dataset is unique, requiring different methods to answer different questions. Additionally, I always keep the ecology of a species at the forefront of my mind to help me identify ecologically and biologically significant patterns.

Conservation and Sustainability

As our planet's marine and terrestrial ecosystems deteriorate through systematic depletion of its resources and biodiversity, I am motivated to conduct applied ecological research, and to advocate for environmental sustainability and conservation, within my work, workplace and personal life. I believe that true environmental sustainability is only achievable through change in behavior, not just geo-engineering and technological innovations. Changing our behavior - our habits - is often difficult and uncomfortable, but as a society we need to make changes to how, and how often, we construct, travel, buy, and dispose. As an advocate for environmental sustainability, my goal is to make citizens, businesses and governments aware that these changes can be easy, accessible, economical and feasible. Environmental sustainability with simultaneous economic growth is possible, and can be symbiotic. All that is needed is a paradigm shift.

I am currently a member of the sustainability committee at my current place of employment (NIWA) and while working on my PhD at the Duke University Marine Lab I co-founded The Green Wave, a student-led greening initiative. The goal of The Green Wave is to raise environmental consciousness of students, faculty and staff and to improve the lab’s everyday practices to be more sustainable and eco-friendly. During my tenure as a leader of The Green Wave, we ran a public seminar series, achieved a Clean Marina certification, coordinated a transportation challenge, performed storm-water runoff mitigation at the lab, conducted an environmental audit of the lab, and more. I am proud to say that The Green Wave continues today with subsequent students leading the charge. (Please visit our website: http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/experience/greenwave)

Teaching and Supervising

I am currently supervising two graduate students. One is a PhD. student at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand who is studying the at sea distribution and foraging behavior of albatross species breeding on the Chatham Islands. The other student is a masters of science student at the University of Auckland in New Zealand who is examining the spatial ecology of bottlenose dolphins in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. My specific role as co-supervisor for both students is to guide and assist with the spatial analysis and behavioral ecology components of their studies.

I greatly enjoy teaching and have experience teaching at a college level. During my final year as a PhD student at Duke University, I organized and taught an innovative class, 'Green By Design'. The purpose of the course was to teach students practical skills in environmental sustainability. Through guest lectures by experts in the field (i.e. renewable energies, urban run-off), site visits to industries in action (i.e. an industrial boat yard, a large commercial farm, a recycling plant), and accompanying literature reading and organized class discussions, I aimed to impart to the students real world knowledge on how to approach sustainability issues and programs. Throughout the term, each student conducted a project on a sustainability issue of their choice with a practical, implementable output. A couple of these projects were so successful they were implemented at the Duke Marine Lab. For example, one student attained funds to develop an organic garden and compost facility at the lab, while another student conducted an energy audit of buildings at the marine lab to guide energy conservation. This class was so successful that other PhD students have continued to organize and teach the 'Green By Design' class in my absence. (Please see my Teaching Statement).

Additionally, while working on my PhD at Duke University I was a teaching assistant for many classes including Conservation Biology, Marine Mammal Biology, Marine Ecology, Invertebrate Zoology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This work required that I prepare and give lectures, organize and conduct experimental labs, grade exams and papers, and hold office hours to meet with students to discuss the course material.

Personal Interests

You can usually find me outdoors in my free time. Sometimes I’m playing soccer or ultimate Frisbee, other times I’m tramping or traveling with my camera close at hand, or I might just be enjoying a walk with my husband and dog, Mango, through the woods or along a beach.

Since the age of 5, I have loved playing competitive team sports and I still do. I relish the skillful challenge, physical exertion, and team bonding. In addition to playing Division 1 college soccer and continuing to play competitively today, I am spending more and more time coaching soccer which I find tremendously gratifying.

I discovered photography in 9th grade and was immediately excited by my ability to capture distinctive moments in time, often with unique angles or lighting, and to share these moments with others. I studied photography throughout high school and university where I graduated with a Masters of Arts in Communication with a focus on visual media. Today, although I mostly pursue photography as a hobby, I still find many opportunities to use my skills and interests in my work.

Growing up in Miami, Florida gave me an insatiable desire to explore and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family: camping, hiking, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving, biking, and exploring the world.