Bianca Keys
she/her
PhD Student
University
of Otago
Discipline
Migration & Movement Ecology
Regional Focus
New Zealand sub-Antarctic islands - the Bounty and Antipodes Islands
Years Active
0-2 years
Species Focus
Penguins (Spheniscidae)
Tell us about your work with seabirds.
I began working with seabirds in Australia during my honours degree studying nano and microplastic ingestion in two shearwater species. Currently, I am a PhD student in New Zealand researching the foraging ecology and spatial distributions of Erect-crested penguins. This involves travelling on a small sailing vessel to remote sub-Antarctic islands during the breeding season. While there, I help deploy GPS loggers, satellite trackers and animal-borne cameras, and assist to collect blood samples to conduct stable isotope analyses.
What advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to pursue a career as seabird scientists?
Make connections and put yourself out there. I wouldn't be where I am if I didn't have a friendly chat with the person sitting next to me at a workshop. It really is all about who you know!