SIMS Early Career Researchers
SIMS Early Career Researchers
Current Postdocs
The future of marine science research is in good hands with the SIMS Early Career Research team. Based here at SIMS, the team work across a variety of research projects, represent diverse research disciplines, and play an important role in contributing to our dynamic research environment.
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Dr. Nina Schäfer
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Supervisor
Dr. Katherine Dafforn
University Affiliation
Macquarie University
Background
I completed my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degree’s at the Ruhr University Bochum (Germany), studying the effects of ocean acidification on fertilisation success and early growth of scleractinian corals (Bachelor), and the effect of predator and prey densities on inducible defences on the freshwater flea Daphnia (Master). I then moved to Australia, where I completed a PhD in Biological Sciences in 2019 at the University of New South Wales, investigating the drivers of diversity on intertidal rocky shores, with a focus on intertidal rock pools.
Research at SIMS
My research focusses on artificial habitats in urban environments, with a focus on informing eco-friendly marine infrastructure designs. Artificial structures provide substrate on which opportunistic non-indigenous species can settle and grow. These structures can also act as ‘stepping-stones’, facilitating the spread of non-indigenous species. I am interested in how artificial structures can be designed to minimise negative impacts such as the establishment of invasive species, whist promoting native diversity. In my research I am using existing literature, and a combination of small- and large-scale field experiments to provide guidance in the ecologically sustainable design of marine foreshore developments.
Dr. Nina Schäfer
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Dr. Fabrice Jaine
Deputy Leader, IMOS Animal Tracking Facility
Supervisor
Prof. Rob Harcourt
University Affiliation
Macquarie University
Background
Fabrice holds a PhD in Animal Ecology and undergraduate degrees in Marine Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Queensland. An avid ocean enthusiast, diver and photographer, Fabrice has spent much of the last decade educating the general public about the marine realm and engaging in research and conservation efforts in various parts of the world. He has contributed to several high-profile documentaries and key scientific outputs on threatened ocean giants such as manta rays, and currently acts as Scientific Adviser for the Manta Trust (www.mantatrust.org), a UK charity that coordinates global research and conservation efforts for mobulid rays.
Research at SIMS
Fabrice’s research interests broadly revolve around the ecology and sustainable management of marine ecosystems and large vertebrate species as well as conservation issues associated with human impacts (e.g. climate change, anthropogenic disturbance, fisheries). His work often takes a multi-disciplinary approach to answer questions about the status of marine species and populations, combining his expertise in coral reef and pelagic marine ecosystems, animal telemetry, biophysical oceanography, citizen science, wildlife tourism and big data.
As part of his role at SIMS, Fabrice coordinates the Animal Tracking Facility of Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS, www.imos.org.au). The IMOS Animal Tracking Facility aims to collate long-term data on movements of marine species within coastal and oceanic waters to inform the management of Australia’s marine resources. One of Fabrice’s core responsibilities is to oversee the development and maintenance of a national network of underwater hydrophones that detect movements of tagged animals and a central database for the Australian research community, thereby facilitating regional-scale collaborative animal tracking research.
In addition, Fabrice collaborates on various research initiatives aimed at furthering knowledge of undocumented animal populations, identifying drivers of distributions and habitat use of elusive or threatened marine species and producing novel rapid assessment tools to describe the biodiversity of Marine Protected Areas and Pacific Island ecosystems. In recent years, Fabrice has developed SIMS-based research projects aimed at informing the management of the World Heritage Lord Howe Island Marine Park, which hosts the world’s southernmost tropical coral reef as well as a variety of endemic and charismatic species.
Dr. Fabrice Jaine
Deputy Leader, IMOS Animal Tracking Facility
Dr. Hayden Schilling
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Supervisor
Prof. Iain Suthers
University Affiliation
UNSW Australia
Background
I am a fisheries oceanographer with an interest in understanding the dynamics behind exploited fish populations. I am also broadly interested in coastal and estuarine ecology, fish biology and trophic interactions.
I completed a PhD with the University of NSW and NSW DPI Fisheries in 2019 focusing on the biology of the recreational fishing species tailor, Pomatomus saltatrix. My PhD research included all aspects of life history including growth rates, diet, juvenile habitat use, reproductive biolody and larval dispersal. Following this I was a marine data scientist for UNSW where I completed a project on estuarine artificial reefs before joining SIMS.
Research at SIMS
As a fisheries oceanographer I work closely with NSW DPI Fisheries and try to use oceanography to answer management relevant questions usually focussed on better understanding fluctuations in fisheries production. My current projects are focused around:
- How ocean models can be used to understand fluctuations in recruitment by modelling larval dispersal
- The influence of onshore winds on recruitment of estuarine species
- The variation in the zooplankton community across the continental shelf
I collaborate widely with many researchers interested in linking oceanography to biological data as well as currently supervising two UNSW honours students with NSW DPI looking at garfish stock structure and environmental drivers of mulluway growth.
Dr. Hayden Schilling
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Past Postdocs
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Dr. Maria Vozzo
Postdoctoral Research Associate & Living Seawalls Project Manager
Supervisors
A/Prof Melanie Bishop, Dr. Katherine Dafforn, Dr. Mariana Mayer Pinto
University Affiliation
Macquarie University
Background
Maria Vozzo is a marine ecologist with research interests in marine urban ecology and habitat restoration. Originally from the United States, Maria began her marine science career as a research assistant at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Institute of Marine Science after completing her BSc at UNC Chapel Hill and MSc at Louisiana State University. In 2018, she completed her PhD at Macquarie University where she investigated mechanisms that influence habitat provisioning by the native Sydney rock oyster, and how these factors may influence successful restoration of this species. She is currently working on the Living Seawalls program.
Research at SIMS
Maria commenced her position as a Postdoctoral Research Associate & Project Manager of the Living Seawalls program in 2018. Over 50% of the Sydney Harbour shoreline has been modified with marine structures such as seawalls. Compared to natural shorelines, marine infrastructure tends to have lower biodiversity, higher rates of non-native species and variable ecosystem functioning, all of which have huge implications on marine biodiversity.
As part of this collaborative research initiative, she is researching methods to transform seawalls and other structures into more ecologically friendly structures. Along with the Living Seawalls team, Maria is investigating the community composition of Living Seawalls installations from microbes to fish. They are also addressing questions such as how the design and configuration of habitat modules influence biodiversity. Results from this program will help to enhance native marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in Sydney Harbour, with potential for application worldwide.
Dr. Maria Vozzo
Postdoctoral Research Associate & Living Seawalls Project Manager
Dr. Michael Doane
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Supervisors
Prof. Justin Seymour, Prof. Martina Doblin, Prof. Peter Steinberg, Dr. Martin Ostrowski
University Affiliations
University of Technology, Sydney; University of New South Wales
Background
I earned my Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010 and my Ph.D in Ecology from San Diego State University and University of California, Davis in 2018. My dissertation work broadly investigated patterns of microbial diversity on the skin surface of marine fishes, including elasmobranch and teleost fishes. My research interests are in broadening our understanding for the health of marine organisms and the marine environmental through the lens of microbial life, including bacteria, archaea, and viruses.
Research at SIMS
Marine bacterioplankton are critical for the healthy functioning of marine environments. These tiny organisms drive the majority of the marine biogeochemical cycling, influence disease occurrence of marine organisms and can account for up to > 50 % of the total marine biomass. Generally, our understanding for how microbial life is distributed in space and time, and the biotic and abiotic process that result in those changes, is limited. I am currently developing an understanding for temporal trends in bacterioplankton dynamics along the east coast of Australia.
This work is a collaborative effort between the Integrated Marine Observing Systems (IMOS), Australian Microbiome Project, New South Wales government, Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), and University of Technology, Sydney to link aspects of oceanography, ecology, and microbial ecology together to refine our understanding for processes which result in changes to bacterioplankton patterns. The aim is to develop a greater understanding for how the marine environment is changing around the Australian continent. Key outcomes include identifying biotic and abiotic factors which correspond with patterns of bacterioplankton diversity for integration into ecosystem-based models and to further develop conceptual understanding for how microbial communities are assembled in marine environments.
Dr. Michael Doane
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Dr. Paloma Matis
Postdoctoral Researcher
Supervisor
Prof. Iain Suthers
University Affiliation
University of New South Wales
Background
My research interests include the ecology and early life history of marine fishes. I have always been passionate about the marine environment and this led me to undertake a Bachelor of Science at The University of Sydney majoring in Biology and Marine Science. I then undertook honours investigating how the physical oceanography of the East Australian Current shapes larval fish communities and growth rates off the coast of NSW. I went on to complete my PhD at the University of Technology Sydney, examining habitat associations of fishes across tropical to temperate latitudes to better understand implications for ocean warming and species range expansion.
Research at SIMS
I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher based at SIMS where I coordinate the IMOS Larval Fish Monitoring Program with Prof. Iain Suthers. The goal of our program is to provide quantitative information on larval fish around Australia to understand future changes in fish distribution, abundance and penology through the use of historical larval fish data and continued monthly monitoring at macro-scale. Larval fish are sampled monthly at five IMOS National Reference Stations around Australia including North Stradbroke Island (Brisbane), Port Hacking (Sydney), Maria Island (Hobart), Rottnest Island (Perth) and Kangaroo Island (Adelaide, sampled bi-monthly) and combined with sporadic research voyages. Through the program we aim to provide adequate baseline information to monitor ecosystem changes, and to identify fisheries-independent trends. I explore community dynamics of fish assemblages and how this relates to habitat availability and oceanography. I’m also interested in understanding impacts of environmental change on marine ecosystems, including species distributions.
Dr. Paloma Matis
Post-doctoral Researcher
Dr. Edwina Tanner
Project Manager, World Harbour Project
Supervisors
Prof. Peter Steinberg, Prof. Martina Doblin
University Affiliation
University of Sydney
Background
I am a marine researcher with data and project management skills. I have experience managing large scale, multidisciplinary and global marine science projects including the World Harbour and Behavioural Response of Australian Humpback Whales to Seismic Surveys (BRAHSS) projects. I did my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Sydney pursuing a range of research interests from water mass movement in the Bass Strait, upwelling and fisheries in the Canary Current to developing a hydrodynamic model and carbon budget for the iconic Sydney Harbour Estuary.
Research at SIMS
The WHP aims to tackle issues surrounding the multiple uses of harbours and ports through targeted workshops, exchange programs of students and researchers and specific collaborative projects on a global scale. The vision is to facilitate and link programs across major international harbours, with a focus on investigating and restoring ecosystem functioning and the consequent development of management best-practices that can be applied by all partner cities. Investigations of the socio-economic aspects of harbour development, environmental degradation and ecosystem restoration form an important component of the WHP. My research has focused on the issues of water and sediment quality, green engineering, and education programs across the global network of the world harbour project partners. The research I am currently working on is determining the heavy metal sediment contamination in 10 world harbours and the harm to benthic communities from the combined metal mixtures.
Dr. Edwina Tanner
Project Manager, World Harbour Project
Dr. Amanda Pettersen
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Supervisors
Prof. Peter Steinberg, Dr Melinda Coleman, Dr Ezequiel Marzinelli
University Affiliation
University of Sydney
Background
I am an evolutionary ecologist interested in the patterns and processes that underlie biodiversity. I use a combination of field and experimental work measuring physiological and life-history traits, along with analysis of existing datasets to understand how selection shapes patterns of phenotypic variation across time and space.
I completed my PhD at Monash University in 2018, working on marine invertebrates and fish to understand how early-life environments shape fitness and performance later in life, and how this may explain key patterns observed in ecology.
I then spent two years at Lund University in Sweden (2018-2020) as a Postdoctoral Fellow, researching early-life physiology and maternal effects as mechanisms that facilitate local adaptation and range expansion into novel climates.
Research at SIMS
A fundamental goal of ecology is to understand how and why species diversity changes across time and space. This understanding is critical for developing effective management and conservation strategies.
I am working on the Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP), which is a collaborative project between the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), the Integrated Marine Observing Systems (IMOS), the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), and the University of Sydney.
The primary goal of my project is to analyse and integrate existing long-term marine data sets (including genetic, microbial, fish and invertebrate communities) to evaluate the current status, and investigate future impacts of environmental change on marine biodiversity.
Dr. Amanda Pettersen
Post-doctoral Researcher
