Current students
NB: Thesis titles are working titles only
Louis Alexander
Thesis title (MSc): The dietary preferences and feeding ecology of greenbone (Odax pullus)
Supervisors: Gaya Gnanalingam and Chris Hepburn
Email: alelo634@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: BAppSc in Aquaculture and Fisheries (Otago)
Taylor Allen
Thesis title (MSc): Quantifying Antarctic echinoderms through eDNA signal strength: A comparative analysis of active and passive collection methods
Supervisor: Gert-Jan Jeunen and Miles Lamare
Email: allta494@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: BSc in Marine Science and Microbiology (Otago)
Peter Batson
Thesis title (PhD): Aspects of the biology of Hornerid bryozoans
Supervisor: Abby Smith
Email: peter.batson@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: MSc in Marine Science (Otago)
Jack Beagley
Thesis title (PhD): Circulation modelling in fjords enhances understanding of carbon burial
Supervisors: Rob Smith, Chris Moy, Gary Wilson (GNS Science), Gael Arnaud (MetOcean)
Email: jackson.beagley@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees:BE (Hons) in Engineering Science (University of Auckland), BSc in Logic & Computation, Physics (University of Auckland), MSc in Geophysics (University of Otago)
Steph Bennington
Thesis title (PhD): Transferring statistical models between populations and species
Supervisors: Will Rayment, Peter Dillingham, Elisabeth Slooten, Steve Dawson
Email: steph.bennington@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc majoring in Ecology and Zoology, MSc in Marine Science (University of Otago)
Kaitlin Bowe
Thesis title (MSc): Foraging Ecology of kororā from Pōhatu bay, Banks Peninsula
Supervisors: Steve Wing and Will Rayment
Email: bowka118@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Ecology (University of Otago), PGDip in Wildlife Management (University of Otago)
Will Carome
Thesis title (PhD): Putting a decline into context: examining abundance and drivers of distribution for parāoa sperm whales at Kaikōura and beyond
Supervisors: Will Rayment, Robert Smith, Matt Schofield (Statistics)
Email: william.carome@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: MSc in Marine Science (University of Otago), BA in Biology (Boston College)
Namrata Chand
Thesis title (PhD): Ecosystem functioning and role of soft sediment macroalgal communities
Supervisors: Chris Hepburn, Will Rayment, Matt Desmond, Daniel Pritchard
Email: namrata.chand@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: Bachelor of Applied Science (Otago), Master's degree in Environmental Science (University of the South Pacific), Postgraduate diploma in Marine Science (University of the South Pacific)
Vincent Cheuyglintase
Thesis title (MSc): Distribution of biomass of Undaria pinnatifida across Southern New Zealand, A resource for new industry
Supervisors: Chris Hepburn
Email: chepi995@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: PGDipSci in Marine Science, BSc majoring in Zoology and minoring in Marine Science
Jack Coakley
Thesis title (MSc): Drivers of growth rate in echinoderms: growth modelling and age determination in two New Zealand sea stars
Supervisors: Miles Lamare
Email: coaja846@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: BSc in Zoology (Otago)
Felix Cook
Thesis title (PhD): Marine heatwaves around New Zealand: Identification and causes
Supervisors: Robert Smith, Moninya Roughan (University of New South Wales), Nicolas Cullen (Geography)
Email: coofe848@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Physics and Energy Studies, BAppSc (Hons) in Energy Management (Otago)
Lucy Coyle
Thesis title (PhD): State of kōura (Crayfish, Jasus edwardsii) on the North Otago Coastline
Supervisors: Gaya Gnanalingam, Chris Hepburn, Bridie Allan
Email: lucy.coyle@otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: BAppSc, MSc (Science Communication)
Leah Crowe
Thesis Title (PhD): Variability and vulnerability of the critically endangered Fiordland bottlenose dolphin
Supervisors: Will Rayment, Steve Dawson, Matt Schofield (Statistics)
Email: leah.crowe@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: BSc in Marine, Freshwater, and Environmental Biology (Ohio University)
Publications: Leah Crowe ResearchGate
Joseph Curtis
Thesis title (PhD): Kelp Forest Ecology
Supervisors: Steve Wing, Miles Lamare
Email: joseph.curtis@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: Bachelor of Science in Marine Science, Master of Science in Biological Oceanography and Marine Resource Assessment (University of California, USA)
Stefania Custeau
Thesis title (MSc): Investigating the density-dependent effect of Austrovenus stutchburyi on the degradation rate of organic matter in estuarine sediments
Supervisors: Steve Wing and Candida Savage
Email: cusst264@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Physical Geography and Environmental Sciences (University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)
Nicholas Daudt
Thesis title (PhD): Spatiotemporal patterns and environmental drivers of seabird assemblages in Australasia, a world hotspot of seabird diversity
Supervisors: Will Rayment; Rob Smith; Matt Schofield (Statistics); Eric J Woehler (IMAS/Australia); Leandro Bugoni (FURG/Brazil)
Email: nicholas.wdaudt@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc (Hons) Marine Biology (Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil); MSc Biological Oceanography (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Brazil)
Publications:
- Schattschneider, J. L.; DAUDT, N. W.; Mattos, M. P. S.; Bonetti, J.; Rangel-Buitrago, N. (2020) An open-source geospatial framework for beach litter monitoring. Environment Monitoring and Assessment 192: 648.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08602-w - Gianuca, D.; Bugoni, L.; Jimenez, S.; DAUDT, N. W.; Miller, P.; Canani, G.; Silva-Costa, A.; Faria, F. A.; Bastida, J.; Seco-Pon, J. P.; Yates, O.; Serafini, P.; Bond, A. L. (2020) Intentional killing and extensive aggressive handling of albatrosses and petrels at sea in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Biological Conservation 252: 108817.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108817 - Perez, M. S.; DAUDT, N. W.; Tavares, M.; Ott, P. H.; Santos, R. A.; Fontana, C. S. (2019) Diet of the Atlantic Petrel Pterodroma incerta during the non-breeding season. Marine Ornithology 47: 43-47.
http://www.marineornithology.org/content/get.cgi?rn=1291 - DAUDT, N. W.; Martins, S. P.; Kirinus, E. P.; Bugoni, L. (2019) Seabird assemblage at the mouth of the Amazon River and its relationship with environmental characteristics. Journal of Sea Research 155: 101826.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2019.101826
Aneesa Delpachitra
Thesis title (MSc): Assessing the interactive impacts of crude oil and microplastics on juvenile coral reef fish (Pomacentrus amboinensis)
Supervisors: Bridie Allan, Mark McCormick (University of Waikato), David Burritt (Botany)
Email: delan842@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: BSc in Ecology, minoring in Zoology (Otago)
Ian Dixon-Anderson
Thesis title (PhD): Adaptive potential of New Zealand sand dollar (Fellaster zelandiae) to future ocean conditions expected in New Zealand waters
Supervisors: Miles Lamare, Crid Fraser
Email: dixia731@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: Bachelor of Chemistry (Grinnell College, USA), Master of Science in Marine Science (Otago)
Publications:
- Dixon-Anderson. I.S., Smith, A.M. Submitted. Variable [Mg2+] in seawater forces mineralogy change in Spirobranchus cariniferus calcification. Marine Chemistry. September 2021
Jake Edwards-Ingle
Thesis title (MSc): Using a UAV to investigate the influence of habitat characteristics and time of day on reef shark neonate population parameters and predation
Supervisors: Bridie Allan, Will Rayment
Email: edwja914@student.otago.ac.n
Previous degree: BSc (Zoology & Marine Science)
Saskia Foreman
Thesis title (PhD): Effects of multiple anthropogenic stressors on feedback loops in marine ecosystems
Supervisor: Candida Savage, Bridie Allan, Amandine Sabadel
Email: saskia.foreman@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous Degrees: BSc (Zoology, Marine Science)
Hannah Fox-McLachlan
Thesis title (MSc): Can Common triplefin (Forsterygion lapillum) recruits use associative learning mechanisms to learn the identity of a novel predator
Supervisor: Bridie Allan
Email: foxha245@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous Degrees: BSc in Marine science, minor in zoology (Otago)
Alexander Hayward
Thesis title: Next-generation observation, modelling and forecasting of microbial community composition and function in the Southern Ocean
Supervisors: Clifford Law, Matt Pinkerton (NIWA), Andres Gutierrez-Rodriguez (NIWA)
Email: hayal272@otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: Integrated BSc and MSc from University College London (UCL) with a year abroad at the University of British Columbia (UBC)
Publications:
- Hayward, A. G., & Grigor, J. J. (2021). The bottom of the Arctic's food web is of top importance. Changing Arctic Ocean, 48.
- Veyssiere, G., Castellani, G., Wilkinson, J.P., Karcher, M., Hayward, A.G., Stroeve, J.C., Nicolaus, M., Kim, J-H., Yang, E-J., Valcic, L., Kauker, F., Khan, A.L. (In Press). Under-Ice Light Field in the Western Arctic Ocean during late summer, Arctic Frontiers
- Pinkerton, M. H., & Hayward, A. (2021). Estimating variability and long-term change in sea ice primary productivity using a satellite-based light penetration index. Journal of Marine Systems, 103576.
- Pinkerton, M. H., Boyd, P. W., Deppeler, S., Hayward, A., Höfer, J., & Moreau, S. (2021). Evidence for the impact of climate change on primary producers in the Southern Ocean. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9, 134.
Lily Heidmann
Thesis title (MSc): Nitrogen Ecophysiology of Asparagopsis armata in Co-Culture with Finfish
Supervisor: Chris Hepburn and Anna Kluibenschedl
Email: heili613@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: BSc in Marine Science and Ecology
Claudia Hird
Thesis title (PhD): Microbiome differences in biota found at geothermal vs. non-geothermal areas
Supervisor: Crid Fraser
Email: hircl639@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: BSc in Environmental Science/Social Science (RMIT University) and MSc in Marine and Antarctic Science (University of Tasmania)
Eleanor Kelly
Thesis title (PhD): The combined response of warming, UV, and crude oil exposure on predator-prey interactions of fish and the neurophysiological drivers responsible
Supervisors: Bridie Allan
Email: kelel442@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: Master's degree in Marine Science (Otago)
Elli Leinikki
Thesis title (PhD): Influence of shellfish on recovery and restoration of intertidal estuaries in New Zealand
Supervisors: Candida Savage, Steve Wing
Email: elli.leinikki@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Aquatic Sciences (University of Helsinki), MSc in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability (University of Helsinki)
Xiaoyue Liu (Pluto)
Thesis title (PhD): How vulnerable are Antarctica's coasts to colonisation?
Supervisors: Crid Fraser
Email: liupl055@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Geography and Zoology (Otago), BSc(Hons) in Ecology (Otago)
Gretchen McCarthy
Thesis title (PhD): Biogeochemical Interactions in Integrated Kelp and Mussel Aquaculture System
Supervisors: Steve Wing, Amandine Sabadel, Miles Lamare
Email: gretchen.mccarthy@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Marine Science with Honours, Boston University 2020
Publications:
- McCarthy, G.J., Ray, N.E., Fulweiler, R.W. (In Press) Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Native and Non-Native Oysters. Frontiers in Environmental Science doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2019.00194
- McCarthy, G.J., Ray, N.E., Fulweiler, R.W. (In Prep) Oyster-mediated nutrient regeneration does not influence phytoplankton community structure. Marine Ecology Progress Series
Jessica Moffitt
Thesis title (PhD): Temperate and polar marine communities' responses to ocean warming: An assessment using in-situ environmental manipulations
Supervisors: Miles Lamare, Crid Fraser, Neil Gemmell (Anatomy)
Email: mofje204@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Marine Biology (Victoria), MSc (Auckland)
Joseph Muldoon
Thesis title (MSc): eDNA: Sponge tissue as an emerging tool to monitor biodiversity in coral reef ecosystems
Supervisors: Miles Lamare, Gert-Jan Jeunen
Email: muljo062@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Zoology and BCom in Business Management
Josh Percy
Thesis title (MSc): Assessing predator-prey interactions among three key invertebrate species in southern New Zealand
Supervisor: Gaya Gnanalingam
Email: perjo092@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Aquaculture and Fisheries, minoring in Ecology.
Hannah Ravn
Thesis title (MSc): Pakake / NZ sea lion diet analysis – a participatory science approach
Supervisor: Will Rayment, Yolanda van Heezik (Department of Zoology)
Email: hanna.ravn@otago.ac.nz
Previous Degrees: BSc in Bioscience (Aarhus University), PGDip in Wildlife Management (University of Otago)
Avi Roberts
Thesis title (MSc): Salty & Malty. Aquaculture of marine Macroalgae, using CO2 waste produced in beer fermentation
Supervisor: Chris Hepburn
Email: robav872@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous Degrees: BAppSc, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Scott Roche-Dick
Thesis title (MSc): Marine heatwaves and Odontaster validus
Supervisor: Miles Lamare
Email: rocsc556@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous Degrees: BSc (Otago), Postgraduate diploma in Wildlife Management (Otago)
Vahid Sepahvand
Thesis title (PhD): Processes driving phylogeographic patterns in the Antarctic Ross Sea
Supervisors: Crid Fraser
Email: sepva552@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: MSc (University of Tehran)
Publications: Google Scholar
Recent publication
- Vahid Sepahvand, Christopher Tudge (2022). A new species of the ghost shrimp genus Andamancalliax Sakai, 2011 from Iran (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea: Eucalliacidae). Zootaxa. 5213(1): 86–92.
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5213.1.6
Stella Simpson
Thesis title (MSc): Investigating the effects of oceanic conditions on sperm whales and their prey at Kaikōura
Supervisors: Will Rayment and Marta Guerra
Email: simst170@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Geology and Oceanography (Otago); PGDipSci in Marine Science (Otago)
Bridgit Smerdon
Thesis title (MSc): Drivers of temperature variability in Southern New Zealand forests of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Supervisors: Robert Smith, Pete Russell
Email: smebr764@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Marine science (Otago)
Jordan Sparrow
Thesis title (MSc): Phytoplankton variability in the Otago Harbour and adjacent shelf seas
Supervisors: Robert Smith, Linn Hoffmann
Email: spajo959@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BAppSc majoring in Environmental Management and minoring in Marine Science
Finn Stoneman
Thesis title (MSc): The foraging ecology of tawaki in a fished fiord system: Dusky Sound, Fiordland
Supervisor: Ursula Ellenberg
Email: stofi342@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degrees: BSc in Marine Science and Environmental Science (University of Auckland)
Te Arawhetu Waipoua
Thesis title (MSc): Identifying areas of high conservation concern through fine-scale GPS tracking of kuaka (Whenua Hou Diving Petrel; Pelecanoides georgicus whenuahouensis) during the breeding period
Supervisors: Ursula Ellenberg, Phil Seddon (Zoology), Johannes Fischer (DOC)
Email: waiar058@student.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: BSc in Zoology, minoring in Marine Science (Otago)
Publications:
Waipoua, T.A.; Mitchell, C.; Ellenberg, U.; Fischer, J.H. 2023. Hand-rearing and translocation trial of the critically endangered kuaka Whenua Hou (Whenua Hou Diving Petrel; Pelecanoides georgicus whenuahouensis). Notornis 70(4): 151-159.
Lindsay Wickman
Thesis title (PhD): Population modelling of Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula, NZ
Supervisors: Will Rayment, Peter Dillingham (Statistics)
Email: lindsay.wickman@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Previous degree: MSc Marine Science (Otago)
Ben Williams
Thesis title (PhD): Status, values and restoration potential of Macrocystis pyrifera kelp forests in Aotearoa New Zealand
Supervisors: Chris Hepburn
Email: bmwilliams.nz@gmail.com
Previous degree: Master of Applied Science (Otago)