2009 - present: PhD candidate, University of New South Wales and Murdoch University. Dissertation Title: Population genetics of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates) in South Western Australia.

2007: Master of Science (Biological Sciences) with First Class Honours, University of Auckland, NZ

Thesis Title: The Mating System of the Australasian Gannet, Morus serrator. Supervised by Mark Hauber and Craig Millar

Faculty of Science Study Award 2005, 2006, Marian Cranwell Prize, 2007

2005:Bachelor of Science (Biological Science), University of Auckland

Tour Guide / Deckhand, Dolphin Watch Ecotours, Picton, NZ

Volunteer tour guide etc., Auckland Zoo

Night Manager, Atlantis Backpackers, Picton, NZ

Teaching & Demonstrating, University of Auckland

Research Assistant, Dolphin Explorer, Auckland

Research Assistant Leigh Marine Laboratory, Auckland

This study is part of a collaborative effort between the University of NSW (William Sherwin, Claire Daniel), Murdoch University (Lars Bejder, Simon Allen, Kate Bryant) and University of Zurich (Michael Krützen), focusing on the dolphins of the South West of WA, especially the Bunbury region. Projects on different aspects of dolphin ecology and information about different threat processes will be combined to construct a model of this population. My contribution will be to use genetic methods to estimate mixing (dispersal) between populations, so that population structure, gene flow, replenishment etc. can be incorporated into the model. The dolphin population in Bunbury is the focus of a growing tourism industry, including daily swim trips and eco-tours, and as the region develops the population will also be exposed to increasing recreational and commercial boat traffic, fisheries interactions and coastal pollution. Bottlenose dolphins, like most cetaceans, are long-lived and highly mobile, and as a result they are exposed to a wide range of potential threats. The size and isolation of a population greatly affects the way it will respond to these threats. My project will provide a better understanding of the genetic structure and dispersal behaviour of the Bunbury population and their neighbours along the SW WA coast. With good estimates of dispersal among the SW population, the effects of potential human or environmental impacts can be modelled, and this will contribute to better management decisions for conservation. Obtaining estimates of dispersal via genetic methods, in addition to techniques such as photo-ID, will allow a better understanding of the dynamics of this population, and so increase our ability to manage it effectively. Aspects of social genetics will also be investigated among the resident population in Bunbury.

1. Dispersal between the “resident” dolphin population in Bunbury and surrounding populations
2. Dispersal along- and off-shore in wider SW WA, from Perth to Albany
3. Differences in dispersal estimates between the sexes
4. Genetic relationships between known individuals in Bunbury in the context of their social relationships (including association, parentage, etc).

• Daniel, C., Millar, C.D., Ismar, S.M.H., Stephenson, B.M., and Hauber, M.E. (2007). Evaluating molecular and behavioural sexing methods for the Australasian gannet (Morus serrator). Australian Journal of Zoology 55, 377–382

• William Sherwin, University of New South Wales

• Michael Kruetzen, University of Zurich

• Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury, WA

• DolphinWatch Ecotours, Picton, New Zealand