Trish Lavery

Postgraduate Student

Contact Details

Mitchell/Seuront lab website

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Behavioural Science
• Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology
• Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (Honours)

Biography

Following a lifelong passion for marine mammals I studied behavioural science at Flinders University, completing a double major in psychology and animal behaviour. I concurrently completed a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, specialising in marine mammal biology.

My honours research was undertaken in 2004-2005, when I examined the health effects of heavy metal pollution in bottlenose dolphins from South Australia.

I examined bone pathology, kidney functioning and the presence of metallothioneins (toxicity-indicating proteins). This research yielded some disturbing information showing that some dolphins in South Australia are suffering from high levels of pollutants and severe health defects. Pollutant levels in South Australia's bottlenose dolphins seem to be moderate to high in comparison with bottlenose dolphins elsewhere in the world.

I am currently working towards my PhD. My research is continuing to focus on marine mammals. I hope to continue my investigations in marine mammal toxicology, and expand my interests to include analyses of movement patters of satellite tagged marine mammals, and exploration of the relationship between marine mammals and turbulent mixing in the ocean.

A Flinders Marine Mammal Discussion Group has recently been established in order to share information about marine mammal research, conservation, volunteer and job opportunities with interested students. Anyone interested in subscribing to the group can contact me at trish.lavery@flinders.edu.au

Supervisors

Dr Laurent Seuront

Dr Ken Sanderson

Dr Catherine Kemper (pdf)

Dr Mike Bossley

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