PhD Candidate
My interest is in marine mammal biology, ecology and conservation. Specifically, I am interested in
animal behaviour, movements and habitat use and how researching these aspects can aid in global
conservation management efforts of species and their habitat.
2011- present: Society of Marine Mammology Australian student chapter admin member
2011- present: Doctor of Philosophy. Murdoch University, Australia.
2008: Bachelor of Marine Studies, majoring in marine biology and ecology, with honours. University
of Queensland and the University of California.
My project, within the South West Marine Research Program, will use long-term data to further
investigate abundance, population dynamics, social structure and habitat use of Indo-Pacific
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Bunbury, South West Australia. This research is conducted
year round via standardised line transect surveys, within a 475km2 area, extending 9.3km offshore,
consisting of coastal beaches and inshore waters.
The main objective of my research is to use predictive habitat modelling techniques to;
- Increase our understanding of the environmental variables influencing dolphin distribution
and habitat use to aid in future conservation and management efforts - Compare the most commonly used cetacean habitat modelling techniques on the
effectiveness of predictive performance - Use the Robust Design model to estimate seasonal abundance separately for male and
female dolphins - Explore association patterns, seasonal movements and home ranges of adult male dolphins
For information on this project or how to assist in this research please contact Kate Sprogis.
Dr Lars Bejder, Murdoch University, Australia.
Prof. Ken Pollock, Murdoch University, Australia and University of Cornell, USA.
Dr Halina Kobryn, Murdoch University. Australia.
Dr David Johnston, Duke University, USA.
Dr Randall Wells, Chicago Zoological Society/ Mote Marine Laboratory, USA.
Memberships
Society for Marine Mammology
Australian Marine Sciences Association
Relevant Employment History
Research station Assistant, University of Queensland, Moreton Bay Research Station,
Stradbroke Island, 2009
Academic Tutor, University of Queensland, 2008 – 2009
Awards
Sea world Research and Rescue Foundation Prize; best student poster at the Australian
Marine Science Association Conference, 2011
Volunteer Work
Population studies of cetaceans, Pretoria University South Africa and Western Australia
Centre for Whale Research, Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, 2010.
Spinner dolphin acoustics, population parameters and human impacts research, Murdoch
University and Duke University, Hawai’i, 2010.
Dolphin surveys in Florida in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Sarasota Dolphin
Research Project. Port St. Joe, Gulf of Mexico, 2010.
Sarasota dolphin research program, Mote Marine Laboratory Internship. Florida, 2010.
Sperm whales, tourism and acoustic research project. University of St. Andrews and
University of Canterbury. New Zealand, 2010.
Foraging ecology and population structure of inshore bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops
truncatus, in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. University of Queensland, 2009.
Humpback Whale Acoustic Research Collaboration. University of Queensland. Peregian
Beach, 2009.
Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutant Program on humpback whales. Griffith
University. Stradbroke Island, 2009.
Migratory movements, timing of migration, abundance and group characteristics of
humpback whales. Southern Cross University. Byron Bay, 2008.
The population dynamics of dugongs in southern Queensland. University of Queensland.
Moreton Bay, 2008.
The Oceania Project (snubfin and Indo-Pacifc Humpback dolphins). Southern Cross
Kate Sprogis Photography
South West Marine Research Program
Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre
Southern Cross Whale Research Centre
Marine Vertebrate Ecology Group, University of Queensland
Humpback Whale Acoustic Research Collaboration
The Oceania Project
Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
Spinner Dolphin Acoustics, Population Parameters and Human Impacts Research
Western Australia Centre for Whale Research
Kate Sprogis, BMarSt.
PhD Candidate
Cetacean Research Unit
Centre for Fish, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems
Murdoch University South Street Murdoch WA 6150 Australia
k.sprogis@murdoch.edu.au
