Experience

In the framework of my MSc thesis I have been conducting field work in the Canadian Arctic. The main goal of my thesis is to develop photo-identifcation and to write a computer software to automate the identication. I am doing this work in close collaboration with Marianne Marcoux , A PhD candidate a McGill. For more information on our project, please visit the narwhal website

I had the chance to work with Shane Gero, a PhD Candidate of Hal Whitehead, on his project on the behaviour of the sperm whales in the Eastern Caribbean.

I worked with Krista Patriquin, a PhD Candidate of Dr. Leonard. The main goal of her project is to elucidate the social structure of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). We spent two months in caves close to Halifax. Some nights were spent catching bats. Before releasing the animals, we took skin samples and measure them. The rest of the time was used to observe the behaviour of the bats.

I had the great opportunity to work six weeks onboard of Balaena, the Whitehead lab sailboat, where I helped at many task such as talking pictures, recording and filming the whales, collecting skin samples, following the whales with acoustic methods, and driving the boat. The Sargasso Sea field work is part of a Whitehead lab ongoing project focussing on sperm whale behaviour, ecology and population biology.

- Honours research

I dedicated the 2003 and 2004 summers in the collection of data for my honours thesis. I was interested in the natural marks found on the bodies of pilot whales and their use for individual identification. This study was part of an ongoing research project conducted by the Whitehead lab.

- Other

Since my honour degree is completed I have been working, on the side, on the pilot whale data. I am currently working on a paper on the behaviour of the pilot whales. Each year, I am also helping the new students to get their field work set up.

MICS carry research on large rorqual whales, such as the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). They are interested in many aspects on the biology and ecology of these whales. My role at this research station varied from taking notes to approaching the animals with inflatable boats.