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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!

Bianca Keys

Bianca wearing a black jacket and blue shirt standing in front of an Erect-crested penguin colony on Antipodes Island. Nest checks were performed before this photo was taken.

Email:

Website:

Twitter:

@BiancaKeys1

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