Our research offers attractive projects to high degree students and post-doc fellows. Since 1980, the research department has supervised over 100 theses for Honours, masters and PhD students, and post-doc fellows. High degree students bring valuable knowledge that underpins advice and input into the management and conservation of the Phillip Island ecosystems.

Please scroll down to find a student by the thesis completion year and last name in alphabetical order.

Current

PostDoc

Dr Marianna Chimienti . Movement ecology and climate change (Postdoc, Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, France, Marie Curie Fellowship. André Chiaradia, Yan Ropert-Coudert and Akiko Kato.)

PhD

Jacinta Colvin. The effect of environmental contaminants on seabirds. (PhD, RMIT University and University of Melbourne. Dayanthi Nugegoda, Jasmin Hufschmid & Peter Dann)

Linda Diep. Management of volatiles and use of pelts in the magnetic cleaning of oiled wildlife process.  (PhD, Victoria University. Werribee. John Orbell & Peter Dann).

Brett Gardner. Surveillance for Mycoplasma and Brucella as potential etiological agents of abortion in Australian fur seals (Arcocephalus pusillus doriferus) in Victoria. (PhD, University of Melbourne. Rebecca McIntosh, Jasmin Hufschmid, Glenn Browning, Michael Lynch, Marc Marenda, Andrew Stent & John Arnould)

Rebecca Groenewegen. Refining modelling and monitoring techniques to improve threatened species recovery outcomes (PhD, The University of Melbourne. Brendan Wintle, Duncan Sutherland)

Nicolas Joly. Effects of environmental conditions on foraging performance of inshore seabirds (PhD, University de Strasbourg. André Chiaradia, Claire Saraux & Jean-Yves Georges)

Julia B. Morais. Assessment of Little penguin's response to fast environmental changes in an enclosed bay. (PhD, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

Sarah-Lena Reinhold. (PhD, University of Adelaide and SARDI – Aquatic Sciences. Rebecca McIntosh, Simon Goldsworthy & Sean Connell)

Anthony Rendall. Managing island ecosystems for conservation: invasive species management and conservation translocations (PhD, Deakin University. Duncan Sutherland, John White, Raylene Cooke)

Marcus Salton. The influence of oceanographic profiles on foraging behaviour of fur seals. (PhD, Macquarie University. Roger Kirkwood, Rob Harcourt &David Slip)

Laura Tan. Adaptive predator management to protect an iconic tourism species (PhD, Deakin University. Burwood. Mike Weston, Peter Dann, Duncan Sutherland, Wouter van Dongen).

Jessalyn Taylor. A multidisciplinary approach to assess the impacts of anthropogenic noise on Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus): soundscape, behaviour and stress hormone concentrations as key factors. (PhD, University of Sydney. Rebecca McIntosh, Rachael Gray & Isabelle Charrier)

Lauren Tworkowski. Thermoregulatory capabilities of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) in relation to anthropogenic climate change (PhD, La Trobe University. Bundoora. Peter Dann, Ursula Ellenberg, Kylie Roberts & John Lescue)

Masters

Benjamin Dupuis. The effect of anthropause caused by Covid-19 lockdown on little penguins. (MSc, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, France. André Chiaradia, Yan Ropert-Coudert, Akiko Kato & Marianna Chimienti.)

Henry Petch. Release the Bandicoots: Establishing Meta-Population Dynamics into the Safe Haven Species Perameles gunnii (MSc, The University of Melbourne. Ben Phillips, Duncan Sutherland, Andrew Weeks, Ary Hoffman)

Angela Shewan Use of pastes in the magnetic cleaning of oiled wildlife process.  (MSc. Victoria University. Werribee. John Orbell, Peter Dann).

Honours

Te Ao Marama Eketone. Behavioural ecology of the eastern barred bandicoot and long-nosed potoroo before and after feral cat eradication on French Island (Honours, Deakin University. Euan Ritchie, Duncan Sutherland, Anthony Rendall, Amy Coetsee)

Eleanor Moore. Change in penguin breeding and diet under increase marine heat waves. (Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

Kristy Williams. Population ecology and movement of long-nosed potoroos on French Island (Honours, Deakin University. Euan Ritchie, Duncan Sutherland, Anthony Rendall, Amy Coetsee)

2021

Leanne Nguyen (2021). The past, present and future diet of little penguins (Eudyptula minor. Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

2020

Amanda Breidahl (2020). An investigation into the role Toxoplasma gondii may play in the health of the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) and an assessment of environmental contamination with T. gondii. (MVSci, The University of Melbourne. Jasmin Hufschmid, Duncan Sutherland, Rebecca Traub, Michael Lynch)

Catriona McCallum (2020). Current and future reproductive timing and success in Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) under increasing ocean temperature (Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina.)

Tahlia Townsend (2020). Comparing the population ecology of eastern barred bandicoot island introductions (Honours, Deakin University. Euan Ritchie, Duncan Sutherland, Anthony Rendall, Amy Coetsee)

2019

Catherine Cavallo (2019). Using the foraging ecology of an iconic top predator to understand ecosystem health in a changing environment (PhD, Monash University. André Chiaradia, Richard Reina, Bruce Deagle, Graeme Hays & Simon Jarman.)

Jacinta Colvin (2019). Ingestion of plastic by fledgling Short-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostris) located on Phillip Island, Victoria.  (RMIT University. Bundoora. Peter Dann, Dayanthi Nugegoda).

Lauren Jones (2019). Determining the impact of Swamp wallaby, Cape Barren goose and European rabbit herbivory on agricultural pastures (MSc, Charles Sturt University. Duncan Sutherland, Julian Di Stefano, Wayne Robinson)

Daniel Lees (2019).  Sex ratios in resident shorebirds. (Phd Deakin University. Burwood. Peter Dann, Mike Weston, Peter Dann, Craig Sherman, Grainne Maquire).

Katie Moon (2019).  Penguin ectoparasites of the Southern Hemisphere.  (PhD Australian National University & Monash University. Clayton. Ceridwen Fraser, Steven Chown, Angela McGaughran & Peter Dann).

Jessica Pulvirenti (2019). Understanding the consequences of sub-colony spatial variation of breeding sites in a central place forager, little penguins (Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina.)

Sonia Sanchez (2019). Reconstruction of the habitat use of an iconic marine top-predator: a tool to manage and conserve ecosystems (PhD, Monash University. André Chiaradia, Richard Reina, Yan Ropert-Coudert, Akiko Kato & Graeme Hays.)

2018

Manuela Fischer (2018). Living in a human-modified landscape: resource selection, road behaviour and herbivory impact of swamp wallabies (PhD, The University of Melbourne. Duncan Sutherland, Julian Di Stefano, Graeme Coulson)

Ella Loeffler (2018). The foraging ecology of eastern barred bandicoots in newly established island populations (Honours, Deakin University. Euan Ritchie, Duncan Sutherland, Amy Coetsee and Nick Porch)

Karina Sorrell (2018). Remotely piloted aircrafts improve the precision of monitoring for fur seals. (Honours, Monash University. Rebecca McIntosh & Rohan Clarke)

Florence Sperring (2018). The foraging response of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) to fine-scale environmental change. (Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

2017

Annett Finger (2017). Utility of the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) as a bioindicator of Coastal Metal Pollution (PhD Victoria University. St Albans & Werribee Peter Dann, Carol Scapaci & John Orbell). 

Lucia-Marie Ganendran (2017).  Climatic factors and Little Penguin survival in Bass Strait. (PhD Australian Defence Force Academy at University of New South Wales, Canberra. Peter Dann & Leesa Sidhu).

Lauren Halstead (2017). Digging up the dirt: quantifying the effect of eastern barred bandicoots on soil properties (Honours, Deakin University. Euan Ritchie, Duncan Sutherland, Leonie Valentine and Amy Coetsee)

Xavier Meyer (2017). Do complex behaviours allow seabirds to adapt to changes in their environment? (PhD, University de Strasbourg. André Chiaradia, Yan Ropert-Coudert, Cédric Sueur, Andrew MacIntosh & Akiko Kato)

Daniel Miller (2017).  Small birds, big impact: Little Penguins as ecosystem engineers. (B.Sc (Hons). La Trobe University. Bundoora. Peter Dann & Steve Leonard)

Dr Airam Rodrigues (2017). Effect of artificial lights on Little Penguins and shearwaters. (Postdoc, Marie Curie Fellowship, Estacion Biologica de Doñana, Spain. André Chiaradia & Joan Negro)

Natalie Sheppard (2017).  Foraging ecology and spatial dynamics of the Hooded Plover on Phillip Island: an obligate, beach-dwelling shorebird.  (M.Sc. Deakin University. Burwood.  Peter Dann, Mike Weston, Grainne Maguire & Sarah Butler)

2016

Kasun Ekanayake (2016).  Little Ravens Corvus mellori as an avian egg predator.  (PhD Deakin University. Burwood. Peter Dann, Duncan Sutherland, Mike Weston, Craig Sherman & Wouter van Dongen)

Meagan Tucker (2016). Environmental variation and reproductive ecology of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) in an urbanised colony (Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina.)

Dr Fran Ramirez (2016). Responses to a sea of changes: Oceanographic drivers of little penguin performance. (Postdoc, Universidad de Barcelona, Spain. André Chiaradia)

2015

Kasup Munaweera (2015). Development of improved pre-conditioning agents for the removal of oil contamination from wildlife and rocky foreshores. (PhD Victoria University.  Peter Dann & John Orbell)

Danielle Hedger (2015). Environmental drivers of the "fake" breeding of little penguins (Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

Kimberley Kliska (2015). Environmental correlates of temporal variation in the diet of Australian fur seals. (MSc, Macquarie University. Rebecca McIntosh, Robert Harcourt  & Ian Jonsen)

Nicole Kowalczyk (2015). Trophic interactions of little penguins at St Kilda: predator-prey relationships in a limited foraging zone and a specialised diet. (. PhD, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

Jakub Stoklosa (2015). Estimation of estimation of population size and demographic parameters on various capture-recapture datasets. (University of Melbourne. Peter Dann & Richard Huggins)

2014

Kelly Edwards (2014). Effect of age on the foraging behaviour of Little penguins. (MSc, University of Southhampton, UK. André Chiaradia, John Williams & Claire Saraux)

Kevin Leal (2014). Decadal-year changes in diving and diet of Little penguins (MSC, Université de Strasbourg, France. André Chiaradia, Yan Ropert-Coudert & Akiko Kato)

Eden Ludekens (2014). Spatial and seasonal ecology of raptors on Phillip Island" (Honours, Deakin University. Duncan Sutherland, Raylene Cooke & John White)

Matt Simpson (2014). Changes in foraging behaviour under increased breeding success (B.Sc. Honours., Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

Vicki Webb (2014). They Came, They Saw, They Flattened: Factors Underlying Roadkill on an Eco-tourism Island" (Honours, Deakin University. Duncan Sutherland, John White, Anthony Rendall & Raylene Cooke)

2013

Françoise Amélineau (2013). Longitudinal diving performance and changes in trophic niche width on little penguins. (MSc, University de Strasbourg. Andre Chiaradia, Yan Ropert-Coudert & Akiko Kato)

Lauren Angel (2013). The foraging ecology of little penguins in relation to the Bonney Upwelling in western Bass Strait. (Honours, Deakin University. Peter Dann & John Arnould)

Adam Cardilini (2013). Parental care and breeding ecology in the Masked Lapwing. (Honours, Deakin University. Peter Dann, Mike Weston & Craig Sherman)

Mary Cowling (2013). Responses of New Zealand fur seals to boat approaches. (MSc, Victoria University. Roger Kirkwood & Carol Scarpaci)

Megan Dewar (2013). Gastrointestinal microflora of seabirds: phylogenetic and dietary relationships. (PhD, Deakin University. Peter Dann, John Arnould & Stuart Smith)

Daniel Lees (2013). Responses to human approaches in the Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles. (Honours, Deakin University. Peter Dann & Mike Weston)

Lachlan McLean (2013). Impacts of sea level change on Australian fur seals. (Honours, Deakin University. Roger Kirkwood & John Arnould)

Laure Pelletier (2013). The thermal structure of the water column in the foraging zone of little penguins: influence of stratified waters on hunting efficiency and breeding success at Phillip Island. (PhD, Universite de Strasbourg, France. André Chiaradia, Akiko Kato & Yan Ropert-Coudert)

Darren Steirt (2013).The impact of conditions experienced during early development on recruitment in a long-lived seabird, the Little penguin. (Honours, Monash Uni. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

Dr Ilka Zimmer (2013). Effect of age and experience on the diving behaviour of Little Penguins. (Postdoc, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Strasbourg, France. André Chiaradia, Akiko Kato and Yan Ropert-Coudert)

2012

Krista Brovedani (2012). Extra-pair paternity in the socially monogamous little penguin Eudyptula minor. (MSc,University of Melbourne. Peter Dann & Raoul Mulder)

Jennyffer Cruz (2012). Effect of predation and resource availability on western brushtail possums. (PhD, University of Queensland. Duncan Sutherland, Luke Leung, Paul de Tores & Nicky Marlow)

Hugh Davies (2012). Working unsociable hours: the effect of fine time scale colony attendance on the reproductive success of little penguins. (Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

Claire Duquesnoy (2012). Does the temperature inside artificial nest boxes affect the breeding success of Little Penguins? (MSc, Université de Strasbourg, France. André Chiaradia & Yan Ropert Coudert)

Michael Lynch (2012). Disease surveillence and epidemiology of Australian fur seals. (PhD, Deakin University. Roger Kirkwood & John Arnould)

Claire Saraux (2012). Modelling foraging of 3 penguin species in relation to climate change. (PhD, University de Strasbourg. André Chiaradia & Yvon LeMaho)

2011

Victoria Dixon (2011). Diving behaviour of juvenile Australian fur seals. (Honours, Deakin University. Roger Kirkwood & John Arnould)

Sandi Laaksonen (2011). Defensive tactics crossing the littoral zone: tidal and luminance effects on the little penguin. (Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

Abbie Mason (2011). The response of little penguins in Australia and New Zealand to geographic variation in male calls: do the different subgroups of little penguins recognise each other? (Honours, Waikato Uni, NZ. Peter Dann & Jo Waas)

Tiana Preston (2011). Foraging ecology of Little Penguins at St Kilda. (PhD, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)

2010

Julia Back (2010). Responses of Australian Fur Seals to boat activitiy. (MSc, Deakin University. Roger Kirkwood & John Arnould)

Jessica Evans (2010). Effects of breeding cycle on immune function in Little Penguins. (Honours, Latrobe University. Peter Dann & Theresa Frankel)

Linda Garlepp (2010). Climatic correlates of haul-out behaviour in Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus. (Honours, Monash University. Roger Kirkwood & Murray Logan)

Tamara Leitch (2010). The diet of breeding Pacific Gulls. (Honours, Deakin University. Peter Dann & John Arnould)

Nora Loudiyi (2010). Distribution and overlap between sympatric seabirds, Little Penguins and Short-tailed shearwaters. (MSc, University de Strasbourg. André Chiaradia & Sylvie Massemin)

Ashton Marsh (2010). Effects of nest temperature and humidity on breeding success in Little Penguins. (Honours, Deakin University. Peter Dann & John Arnould)

Laure Pelletier (2010). Examining the thermal structure of the coastal waters using Little penguins (MSc, Universite Strasbourg. André Chiaradia, Akiko Kato & Yan Ropert Coudert).

Rebecca Pitt (2010). Diet segregation and food assimilation by Little Penguins. (Honours, Monash University. André Chiaradia & Richard Reina)