A PhD student funded by the Oppenheimer Chair for Emerging African Scientists in Non-invasive Wildlife Research, Bruce Crossey’s research is focused on finding new ways to strike a balance between the growing need for ecotourism experiences that create memorable moments for tourists, while maintaining the welfare of wildlife species involved in these activities.
Loraine Shuttleworth is a PhD candidate with the MRI Whale Unit. She is investigating the bioenergetic response of lactating southern right whales to decreased prey availability and the effects that this may have on calf rearing. She will make use of photogrammetric assessments and a variety of laboratory techniques including stable isotope-, fatty acid- and endocrine analysis. For this research, Loraine is a recipient of the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s Small Grant in Aid of Research.
Dominique Paynee is a PhD candidate with the MRI Whale Unit. Her project involves research into the understudied, elusive Bryde’s whale found in South Africa’s inshore waters. Her research aims to use genome-wide methods to assess aspects of this small population such as census and effective population size and adaptive potential of this resident species. Her project also aims to investigate the phylogenetic relationships between the South African population and other global Bryde’s whale populations.
Mangala Gowri Viswanathan is a PhD student at the MRI Whale Unit, focusing her research on the acoustic patterns and behaviours of Blue whales. Her work delves into the occurrence and vocalizations of these magnificent marine giants across the Southeastern Atlantic and Southern Oceans. By investigating their acoustic presence and analyzing behavioural trends, she aims to deepen our understanding of blue whale populations and their interactions with dynamic environmental conditions. This research is pivotal in advancing conservation efforts for this endangered species, offering valuable insights into how blue whales adapt to their ever-changing oceanic habitats.
Nosipho Gumede is a PhD student at the MRI Whale Unit. Her research project relates to the assessment of seasonal occurrence and distribution of baleen whales along the South African continental shelf. She investigates these patterns through analyzing years of Passive Acoustic Monitoring data collected at different sites on the continental shelf of South Africa. This research will contribute to the understanding of baleen whale migratory behaviour within our waters, to assist Environmental Impact Assessments and Marine Spatial Planning.