PhD Projects.

Learn more about our PhD students and the exciting projects they are working on.

Carmela de Benito Abelló

Foraging ecology of green turtles inhabiting a dynamic environment in the Kimberley region, Western Australia

University: Murdoch University (MU), Perth

Supervisors: Dr Adrian Gleiss (MU), Dr Jenna Hounslow (MU), Dr Sabrina Fossette (WA Govt. Dept. of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions)

Born in Madrid, Spain, I studied Environmental Sciences and worked as a sustainability consultant for several years before shifting my career toward marine conservation. I pursued an international Honours degree, focusing my research on the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Building on this experience, I became involved in projects in remote areas (i.e., Taiwan, Mexico), collaborating closely with indigenous communities to develop conservation management strategies that promote sustainable environmental practices.

My project will answer the following questions; Where are green turtles in Yawuru Nagulagun Roebuck Bay Marine Park? When are they there and what makes these places important? How does this change with body size?

Danielle Godwin

Exploring social complexity in a marine protected area: A case study of values, activities and social networks in Yawuru Nagulagun/ Roebuck Bay Marine Park

University: Murdoch University (MU), Perth

Supervisors: Dr Michael Hughes (MU), Dr Halina Kobryn (MU), Dr Joanna Pearce (Edith Cowan University)

Born in Tom Price and grew up in Far North Queensland, then moved to Perth at 21 for the lifestyle, stayed for the weather. Studied Environmental Management and Sustainability at Murdoch University, Honours focused on snorkeller behaviours at Ningaloo Reef, then worked with Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in Visitor and Social Research for 3 years.

My project will answer the following questions; who uses Yawuru saltwater Country? What do they do there, what do they value, and why? What concerns might they have? How are these users connected?

Camila Pardo Uribe

We all care for Saltwater Country: Inclusive science communication and transdisciplinary research in the Kimberley region (WA)

University: University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth

Supervisors: Dr Heather Bray (UWA), Dr Melissa Marshall (UNDA/Nulungu Research Institute), Dr Ann Grand (UWA)

Born and grew up in a small town (Manizales) in the Central Andes in Colombia. Double majored in Literature and Biology, completed a master’s degree in Environment, Society and Culture from the University of Essex (UK) and more recently finished a master’s degree in Science Communication at UWA. Worked as a translator and editor for the journal Neotropical Ornithology, and as a Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant for WWF Colombia. More recently, I have been working as a Customer Service Officer at Perth Zoo and writing science stories for Particle magazine.

My project will answer the following questions; what does a communications framework that ensures equitable access of knowledge to all stakeholders look like? How will project success be measured? How can inclusive sci-comm contribute to strong transdisciplinary, cross-cultural research?