Research Overview

I am currently a PhD Candidate at UC Santa Cruz in California, wrapping up the final year of my dissertation work. My research has focused primarily on humpback whales along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. See below for some insights into what I’ve been working on the past five years. Please watch this space, as publications will become available soon.

Activity budgets

Using high-resolution biologging data collected over multiple years, I investigate how humpback whales along the Western Antarctic Peninsula allocate their time among foraging, resting, traveling, and other behaviors. This research explores how activity patterns vary across the day, feeding season, and demographic groups, providing insight into the behavioral and energetic tradeoffs whales face during their critical summer feeding period.

behavioral response to vessel approach

As Antarctic tourism continues to grow, understanding how whales respond to vessel encounters is increasingly important. Through controlled exposure experiments and drone-based behavioral observations, I examine how humpback whales respond to approaching small vessels, with particular attention to disruptions in resting behavior. This work aims to identify behavioral indicators of disturbance and inform responsible whale-watching practices.

vessel risk strike assessment

Building on previous research conducted in collaboration with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), this chapter investigates the risk of vessel strikes involving humpback whales along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. By examining patterns of vessel activity and whale distribution, I aim to identify areas and conditions associated with elevated collision risk. This research will support evidence-based recommendations for vessel operations and help inform strategies to reduce vessel-strike risk as Antarctic tourism continues to expand.

Activity Budgets

Vessel Response

Vessel Strike Risk Assessments

Permits

All resear