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Dr Vanessa Pirotta is a wildlife scientist, science communicator and author.^[1] Her research uses innovative technologies, like drones and AI, for wildlife conservation.^[2] Pirotta is the founder and chief scientist of Wild Sydney Harbour^[3], a scientific and citizen science program which is learning more about marine life in Sydney Harbour, Australia.

Career

Pirotta completed a Bachelor of Science in zoology/animal biology at the Australian National University in 2010.^[4] Her Masters of Research in Conservation Biology at Macquarie University in 2014, and her PhD in marine sciences at Macquarie University in 2018.^[5] Her PhD research focused on the conservation of marine wildlife, investigating human induced and natural threats to cetaceans (whale, dolphin and porpoise) around the world, conducting research in Tonga, Madagascar and Antarctica.^[6] She is most recognised for her use of drones to collect whale snot (visible plumes of spray) in order to conduct an assessment of whale health. her TedX talk about whale snot has been viewed more than 36,000 times.^[7]

Media

Pirotta regularly appears in the media commenting on marine science and environmental issues. She has written for Vogue Australia^[8], The Conversation^[9]. And has been interviewed by ABC News,^[10] SBS,^[11] The Conversation,^[12]Channel 7 News,^[13] the Sydney Morning Herald,^[14] and Cosmos Magazine^[15] amongst others.

Books

Pirotta has published three children's books about whales:

Humpback Highway, Diving into the mysterious world of whales (UNSW Press, 2024).^[16]
Oceans at Night (CSIRO Publishing, 2024).^[17]
The Voyage of Whale and Calf (CSIRO Publishing, 2022).^[18]

Awards and Prizes

Pirotta has been awarded:

2018 winner of FameLab Australia.^[19]
2019 Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence.^[20]
2021 Science & Technology Australia Superstar of STEM.^[21]

Selected Publications

Pirotta, V., Franklin, W., Mansfield, L., Lowe, J., and Peterson, O. (2023). Sighting records of “Migaloo” the white humpback whale provide evidence of Australian site fidelity and use of New Zealand waters as a migratory route. Australian Zoologist^[22]
Raoult, V., Pirotta, V., Gaston, T.F., Norman, B., Reynolds, S., Smith, T.M., Double, M., How, J., and Hayward, M.W. (2023). Widespread exposure of marine parks, whales, and whale sharks to shipping. Marine and Freshwater Research^[23]
Pirotta V, Shen K, Liu S, Phan HTH, O’Brien JK, Meagher P, Mitchell J, Willis J and Morton E (2022). Detecting illegal wildlife trafficking via real time tomography 3D X-ray imaging and automated algorithms. Front. Conserv. Sci.^[24]
Pirotta, Vanessa, David P. Hocking, Jason Iggleden, and Robert Harcourt. (2022). Drone Observations of Marine Life and Human–Wildlife Interactions off Sydney, Australia. Drones 6, no. 3: 75.^[25]
Brasier M and Pirotta V (2022) Humpback Whales Have Super Feeding Events in Australian Waters. Front. Young Minds. 10:713720. doi: 10.3389/frym.2022.713720 Available here.
Pirotta, V. McIntosh, R., Gray, R., Marsh, H and Lynch, M. (2022). Marine Mammals. In: Ethical wildlife research in Australia (Eds B. Smith, H. Waudby, C. Alberthsen). CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Australia. Publication date: 1 July 2022. Available here.

References

^ PUBLISHING, CSIRO. Oceans at Night.
^ Dalton, Angus (2023-02-03). "Lunch with the spokeswoman for the ocean's oddities". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "Wild Sydney Harbour". Wild Sydney Harbour. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "From campus to whale snot". ANU College of Science. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "A whale of a time". Macquarie University. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
^ Pirotta, Vanessa (2022-03-29). Migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) do not respond to underwater construction or whale alarms off Sydney, Australia (PhD thesis). Macquarie University.
^ TEDx Talks (2019-08-27). What "whale snot" tells us about whales and the ocean | Vanessa Pirotta | TEDxMelbourne. Retrieved 2024-07-24 – via YouTube.
^ Pirotta, Vanessa (8 March 2024). "Life in Letters: A leading scientist pens a letter to her childhood self about perseverance and striving on". Vogue.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ O'Brien, Justine; Pirotta, Vanessa (2022-09-22). "Lizard in your luggage? We're using artificial intelligence to detect wildlife trafficking". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "Warming oceans delaying pygmy blue whale migration". www.abc.net.au. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "Burials at sea for stranded whales: researchers seek environmental best-practice". SBS News. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ Stevens, Eloise (2024-04-21). "Do whales sneeze? The Conversation's Curious Kids podcast". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "Grave fears still held for saved whales off WA coast after dozens die". 7NEWS. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ Dalton, Angus (2023-02-03). "Lunch with the spokeswoman for the ocean's oddities". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "Looking large: Dr Vanessa Pirotta explains her love of whales". cosmosmagazine.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "Humpback Highway: Diving into the mysterious world of whales". UNSW Press. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ PUBLISHING, CSIRO. Oceans at Night.
^ PUBLISHING, CSIRO. The Voyage of Whale and Calf.
^ "Vanessa Pirotta wins FameLab Australia 2018 title". Retrieved 24 July 2024.
^ "Dr Vanessa Pirotta - AFR Women of Influence". Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "Dr Vanessa Pirotta". Science and Technology Australia. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ Pirotta, Vanessa; Franklin, Wally; Mansfield, Leigh; Lowe, Jodie; Peterson, Oskar (2023-04-03). "Sighting records of "Migaloo" the white humpback whale provide evidence of Australian site fidelity and use of New Zealand waters as a migratory route". Australian Zoologist. 42 (4): 1014–1028. doi:10.7882/AZ.2022.043. ISSN 2204-2105.
^ Raoult, Vincent; Pirotta, Vanessa; Gaston, Troy F.; Norman, Brad; Reynolds, Samantha; Smith, Tim M.; Double, Mike; How, Jason; Hayward, Matt W. (2022-11-28). "Widespread exposure of marine parks, whales, and whale sharks to shipping". Marine and Freshwater Research. 74 (1): 75–85. doi:10.1071/MF22050. ISSN 1448-6059.
^ Pirotta, Vanessa; Shen, Kaikai; Liu, Sheldon; Phan, Ha Tran Hong; O’Brien, Justine K.; Meagher, Phoebe; Mitchell, Jessica; Willis, Joel; Morton, Ed (2022-09-22). "Detecting illegal wildlife trafficking via real time tomography 3D X-ray imaging and automated algorithms". Frontiers in Conservation Science. 3. doi:10.3389/fcosc.2022.757950. ISSN 2673-611X.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
^ Pirotta, Vanessa; Hocking, David P.; Iggleden, Jason; Harcourt, Robert (2022-03). "Drone Observations of Marine Life and Human–Wildlife Interactions off Sydney, Australia". Drones. 6 (3): 75. doi:10.3390/drones6030075. ISSN 2504-446X. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)

[1] PUBLISHING, CSIRO. Oceans at Night.

[2] Dalton, Angus (2023-02-03). "Lunch with the spokeswoman for the ocean's oddities". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[3] "Wild Sydney Harbour". Wild Sydney Harbour. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[4] "From campus to whale snot". ANU College of Science. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[5] "A whale of a time". Macquarie University. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2024.

[6] Pirotta, Vanessa (2022-03-29). Migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) do not respond to underwater construction or whale alarms off Sydney, Australia (PhD thesis). Macquarie University.

[7] TEDx Talks (2019-08-27). What "whale snot" tells us about whales and the ocean | Vanessa Pirotta | TEDxMelbourne. Retrieved 2024-07-24 – via YouTube.

[8] Pirotta, Vanessa (8 March 2024). "Life in Letters: A leading scientist pens a letter to her childhood self about perseverance and striving on". Vogue.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[9] O'Brien, Justine; Pirotta, Vanessa (2022-09-22). "Lizard in your luggage? We're using artificial intelligence to detect wildlife trafficking". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[10] "Warming oceans delaying pygmy blue whale migration". www.abc.net.au. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[11] "Burials at sea for stranded whales: researchers seek environmental best-practice". SBS News. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[12] Stevens, Eloise (2024-04-21). "Do whales sneeze? The Conversation's Curious Kids podcast". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[13] "Grave fears still held for saved whales off WA coast after dozens die". 7NEWS. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[14] Dalton, Angus (2023-02-03). "Lunch with the spokeswoman for the ocean's oddities". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[15] "Looking large: Dr Vanessa Pirotta explains her love of whales". cosmosmagazine.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[16] "Humpback Highway: Diving into the mysterious world of whales". UNSW Press. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[17] PUBLISHING, CSIRO. Oceans at Night.

[18] PUBLISHING, CSIRO. The Voyage of Whale and Calf.

[19] "Vanessa Pirotta wins FameLab Australia 2018 title". Retrieved 24 July 2024.

[20] "Dr Vanessa Pirotta - AFR Women of Influence". Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[21] "Dr Vanessa Pirotta". Science and Technology Australia. Retrieved 2024-07-24.

[22] Pirotta, Vanessa; Franklin, Wally; Mansfield, Leigh; Lowe, Jodie; Peterson, Oskar (2023-04-03). "Sighting records of "Migaloo" the white humpback whale provide evidence of Australian site fidelity and use of New Zealand waters as a migratory route". Australian Zoologist. 42 (4): 1014–1028. doi:10.7882/AZ.2022.043. ISSN 2204-2105.

[23] Raoult, Vincent; Pirotta, Vanessa; Gaston, Troy F.; Norman, Brad; Reynolds, Samantha; Smith, Tim M.; Double, Mike; How, Jason; Hayward, Matt W. (2022-11-28). "Widespread exposure of marine parks, whales, and whale sharks to shipping". Marine and Freshwater Research. 74 (1): 75–85. doi:10.1071/MF22050. ISSN 1448-6059.

[24] Pirotta, Vanessa; Shen, Kaikai; Liu, Sheldon; Phan, Ha Tran Hong; O’Brien, Justine K.; Meagher, Phoebe; Mitchell, Jessica; Willis, Joel; Morton, Ed (2022-09-22). "Detecting illegal wildlife trafficking via real time tomography 3D X-ray imaging and automated algorithms". Frontiers in Conservation Science. 3. doi:10.3389/fcosc.2022.757950. ISSN 2673-611X.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)

[25] Pirotta, Vanessa; Hocking, David P.; Iggleden, Jason; Harcourt, Robert (2022-03). "Drone Observations of Marine Life and Human–Wildlife Interactions off Sydney, Australia". Drones. 6 (3): 75. doi:10.3390/drones6030075. ISSN 2504-446X. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)

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 == Career ==
-Pirotta completed a Bachelor of Science in zoology/animal biology at the [[Australian National University]] in 2010, her Masters of Research in Conservation Biology at [[Macquarie University]] in 2014, and her PhD in marine sciences at Macquarie University in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2022 |title=A whale of a time |url=https://www.mq.edu.au/macquariematters/a-whale-of-a-time/ |access-date=24 July 2024 |website=Macquarie University}}</ref> Her PhD research focused on the conservation of marine wildlife, investigating human induced and natural threats to cetaceans (whale, dolphin and porpoise) around the world, conducting research in Tonga, Madagascar and Antarctica.<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) do not respond to underwater construction or whale alarms off Sydney, Australia |url=https://figshare.mq.edu.au/articles/thesis/Migrating_humpback_whales_Megaptera_novaeangliae_do_not_respond_to_underwater_construction_or_whale_alarms_off_Sydney_Australia/19443119/1 |publisher=Macquarie University |date=2022-03-29 |degree=PhD |language=en |first=Vanessa |last=Pirotta}}</ref> She is most recognised for her use of drones to collect whale snot (visible plumes of spray) in order to conduct an assessment of whale health. her [[TED (conference)|TedX]] talk about whale snot has been viewed more than 36,000 times.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PXgFoTtwi0 |title=What "whale snot" tells us about whales and the ocean {{!}} Vanessa Pirotta {{!}} TEDxMelbourne |date=2019-08-27 |last=TEDx Talks |access-date=2024-07-24 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
+Pirotta completed a Bachelor of Science in zoology/animal biology at the [[Australian National University]] in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From campus to whale snot |url=https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/campus-whale-snot |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=ANU College of Science |language=en}}</ref> Her Masters of Research in Conservation Biology at [[Macquarie University]] in 2014, and her PhD in marine sciences at Macquarie University in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2022 |title=A whale of a time |url=https://www.mq.edu.au/macquariematters/a-whale-of-a-time/ |access-date=24 July 2024 |website=Macquarie University}}</ref> Her PhD research focused on the conservation of marine wildlife, investigating human induced and natural threats to cetaceans (whale, dolphin and porpoise) around the world, conducting research in Tonga, Madagascar and Antarctica.<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) do not respond to underwater construction or whale alarms off Sydney, Australia |url=https://figshare.mq.edu.au/articles/thesis/Migrating_humpback_whales_Megaptera_novaeangliae_do_not_respond_to_underwater_construction_or_whale_alarms_off_Sydney_Australia/19443119/1 |publisher=Macquarie University |date=2022-03-29 |degree=PhD |language=en |first=Vanessa |last=Pirotta}}</ref> She is most recognised for her use of drones to collect whale snot (visible plumes of spray) in order to conduct an assessment of whale health. her [[TED (conference)|TedX]] talk about whale snot has been viewed more than 36,000 times.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PXgFoTtwi0 |title=What "whale snot" tells us about whales and the ocean {{!}} Vanessa Pirotta {{!}} TEDxMelbourne |date=2019-08-27 |last=TEDx Talks |access-date=2024-07-24 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
 == Media ==
-Pirotta regularly appears in the media commenting on marine science, whale migration, impacts of warming oceans and wildlife trafficking. She has written for Vogue Australia<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pirotta |first=Vanessa |date=8 March 2024 |title=Life in Letters: A leading scientist pens a letter to her childhood self about perseverance and striving on |url=https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/features/dr-vanessa-pirotta-letter/news-story/814216cdef5818d9f0af78cb045c652a |url-status=live |work=Vogue}}</ref>, The Conversation<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Justine |last2=Pirotta |first2=Vanessa |date=2022-09-22 |title=Lizard in your luggage? We’re using artificial intelligence to detect wildlife trafficking |url=http://theconversation.com/lizard-in-your-luggage-were-using-artificial-intelligence-to-detect-wildlife-trafficking-189779 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref>.  And has been interviewed by ABC News,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title=Warming oceans delaying pygmy blue whale migration |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-16/warming-oceans-delaying-pygmy-blue-whale-migration/103112130 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}</ref> SBS,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burials at sea for stranded whales: researchers seek environmental best-practice |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/researchers-looking-at-how-to-return-stranded-whales-to-deeper-waters/y4szjlorz |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=SBS News |language=en}}</ref> The Conversation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Eloise |date=2024-04-21 |title=Do whales sneeze? The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast |url=http://theconversation.com/do-whales-sneeze-the-conversations-curious-kids-podcast-227966 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref>Channel 7 News,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=Grave fears still held for saved whales off WA coast after dozens die |url=https://7news.com.au/news/grave-fears-still-held-for-130-pilot-whales-saved-off-the-western-australian-coast-after-29-died-after-becoming-beached-c-14445296 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=7NEWS |language=en}}</ref> the Sydney Morning Herald,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Angus |date=2023-02-03 |title=Lunch with the spokeswoman for the ocean’s oddities |url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/lunch-with-the-spokeswoman-for-the-ocean-s-oddities-20230109-p5cbey.html |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> and Cosmos Magazine<ref>{{Cite web |title=Looking large: Dr Vanessa Pirotta explains her love of whales |url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/looking-large-vanessa-pirotta-whales/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=cosmosmagazine.com}}</ref> amongst others.
+Pirotta regularly appears in the media commenting on marine science and environmental issues. She has written for Vogue Australia<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pirotta |first=Vanessa |date=8 March 2024 |title=Life in Letters: A leading scientist pens a letter to her childhood self about perseverance and striving on |url=https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/features/dr-vanessa-pirotta-letter/news-story/814216cdef5818d9f0af78cb045c652a |url-status=live |work=Vogue}}</ref>, The Conversation<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Justine |last2=Pirotta |first2=Vanessa |date=2022-09-22 |title=Lizard in your luggage? We’re using artificial intelligence to detect wildlife trafficking |url=http://theconversation.com/lizard-in-your-luggage-were-using-artificial-intelligence-to-detect-wildlife-trafficking-189779 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref>.  And has been interviewed by ABC News,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title=Warming oceans delaying pygmy blue whale migration |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-16/warming-oceans-delaying-pygmy-blue-whale-migration/103112130 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}</ref> SBS,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burials at sea for stranded whales: researchers seek environmental best-practice |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/researchers-looking-at-how-to-return-stranded-whales-to-deeper-waters/y4szjlorz |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=SBS News |language=en}}</ref> The Conversation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Eloise |date=2024-04-21 |title=Do whales sneeze? The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast |url=http://theconversation.com/do-whales-sneeze-the-conversations-curious-kids-podcast-227966 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref>Channel 7 News,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=Grave fears still held for saved whales off WA coast after dozens die |url=https://7news.com.au/news/grave-fears-still-held-for-130-pilot-whales-saved-off-the-western-australian-coast-after-29-died-after-becoming-beached-c-14445296 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=7NEWS |language=en}}</ref> the Sydney Morning Herald,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Angus |date=2023-02-03 |title=Lunch with the spokeswoman for the ocean’s oddities |url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/lunch-with-the-spokeswoman-for-the-ocean-s-oddities-20230109-p5cbey.html |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> and Cosmos Magazine<ref>{{Cite web |title=Looking large: Dr Vanessa Pirotta explains her love of whales |url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/looking-large-vanessa-pirotta-whales/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=cosmosmagazine.com}}</ref> amongst others.
 == Books ==