TEDxMelb VPirotta.jpg
 

 
 
 
 

Vanessa is a

Marine biologist,

Science communicator,

Woman in STEM

Keep up to date with Vanessa’s work below…

Vanessa’s TEDx talk is now LIVE!

Watch below:

Vanessa named one of The Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence for 2019.

Dr Vanessa visits the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Italy.

Vanessa was an invited marine mammal expert at the “Expert Meeting to Develop Technical Guidelines to Reduce Bycatch of Marine Mammals in Fisheries”, Rome, Italy.

National Science Week

The Living Room (Channel 10) with Dr Chris Brown.

Vanessa welcomed Dr Chris onboard her whale snot collecting mission. Catch all the highlights below.

 

School outreach.

Vanessa spoke to school students about her research. Students loved the opportunity to hold the whale snot drone.

School science communication.

Vanessa spoke with 500 school students from Canberra Girls Grammar School.

On the air with Dr Karl.

Vanessa hit the air with Dr Karl during National Science Week. She answered questions about the marine environment from around Australia. Vanessa even took her drone into the studio!

Vanessa met ocean explorer Dr Sylvia Earle.

This was an absolute thrill for Vanessa. Dr Earle gave Vanessa a high five for finishing her PhD in marine science.

Thanks to the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Vanessa’s research voyage to the Coral Sea

Marine biologist in the Coral Sea.

Vanessa pictured here with a dogtooth tuna jaw.

Dr Vanessa listed as one of Whimn’s 2019 Power Women

Vanessa’s recent science communication:

NBC News America MACH

Vanessa was asked to provide expert comment for the following story: “High-tech thermal cameras could protect whales from deadly collisions with ships” by Jaclyn Jeffrey-Wilensky.

Earth Day 2019 CBS Morning News America

Vanessa’s was asked to provide expert comment for CBS News regarding plastic in the ocean.

ABC News

Vanessa provided expert comment for ABC News regarding the 2019 whale watching season and her latest drone research.

ABC Radio National

Vanessa spoke with Hamish Macdonald on Radio National Breakfast about the whale migration off Australia and her drone research.

Sydney Morning Herald/Traveller AU

Five things travel has taught me: Dr Vanessa Pirotta, marine biologist

ABC and SBS World News

Vanessa provided expert comment for both the ABC and SBS World News regarding the beluga whale wearing a harness.

Vanessa commenting on ABC News.

Vanessa commenting on ABC News.

The Australian Museum

Vanessa’s makes whale sounds to describe the difference between toothed and toothless whales.

Questacon’s Enterprising Australians

Vanessa’s research is the latest feature in Questacon’s (Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre) Enterprising Australians, supported by The Ian Potter Foundation.

Vanessa’s interview with ABC television discussing her global shipping research:

Australasian Science

Vanessa is a contributing author in the current issue of Australasian Science. Vanessa’s article details her latest research discussing global shipping impacts for marine giants.

Summary of research

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):

Vanessa’s focus over the last few years has been cetaceans, which is a collective term for whales, dolphins and porpoises. Vanessa has investigated threats to cetaceans around the world. She has applied theoretical frameworks and created practical applications to change our thinking on how we manage human activities in the ocean.

Vanessa’s most well-known research is the use of drones to collect whale snot for an assessment of whale health. Vanessa is also a big advocate for citizen science to assist scientists for wildlife conservation.

2018-04-24 Joanne Stephan-29.jpg

Master of Research (MRes):

Vanessa’s master of research looked at the use of whale alarms (small sound devices) to try and prevent whale entanglement in fishing gear.

This work was conducted off Sydney, Australia, where Vanessa learnt how to become a whale surveyor using a theodolite. This is a very precise machine placed on top of a tripod and connected to a computer using Pythagoras theorem (yes, high school math is important). Vanessa used it to track whale movements in the ocean. 

Bachelor of Science (BSc):

Vanessa studied Zoology and Evolution and Ecology at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia.

Perks of the job:

Vanessa’s research has taken her to some wonderful places around the world including Tonga, Antarctica and Madagascar.

Vanessa at the bottom of the planet

Vanessa at the bottom of the planet

Vanessa at the top of Tonga

Vanessa at the top of Tonga

Vanessa is also a passionate science communicator:

“We need more women scientists to put their stories out there so girls can see what they can be when they grow up, and boys can see girls in these jobs, too.”
— Nicole Small, president of the Lyda Hill Foundation, Nature Article

Watch Vanessa tell you all about whale snot:

Vanessa’s whale snot collection research explained in 60 seconds. This was filmed for the international BBC Earth presenter search.

 

Follow Vanessa on social media:

Vanessa’s latest tweets: 

And on Instagram....

Big nose, little nose. Mother and calf humpback whale transiting south pass #Sydney today 💦I ❤️this shot. It shows the difference in size. #scicomm ✅ humpback whales have two nostrils like us 👃 Last week I was watching and swimming with whales in Tonga and this week I'm watching them off Australia 🇦🇺. Extremely fortunate to spend so much time around these animals 🙏 . . . . . #whale #whales #humpbackwhales #nature #naturephotography #naturelover #naturelovers #cute #fun #whaleon #nose #blowhole #boat #photo #pic #sunday #sundayfunday #abcmyphoto #photooftheday #sydney #australia
My chat with @abcinsydney 's Richard Glover is now a #podcast 📻🎙Learn all about ambergris also known as whale vomit 🤢#scicomm ✅ despite being called whale vomit, ambergris more likely comes out the other end as 💩 Ambergris is a result of the digestive system coating squid beaks. It was previously used as perfume fixative to help your perfume last longer on your body. Not all sperm whales are capable of producing ambergris. Thankfully, we now have synthetic versions of ambergris to allow your perfume to linger longer without the aid of sperm whales. 📸Sperm whale off Sydney! Listen to the podcast here: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/drive/self/11587910 . . . . #spermwhale #whale #ambergris #floatinggold #ocean #sea #learn #radio #fact #facts #oceanside #photo #naturephotography #photos #womeninscience #stem #sydney #australia #abcsydney #abcmyphoto @abcaustralia @abcnews_au @abcradionational @macquarieuni
It doesn't get better than this! Absolutely mind blowing interaction with a humpback whale calf called "super calf" 🐳 I cannot describe how amazing this experience was. Just after this calf rose to the surface, I managed to catch its attention. This pic captures the moment when he (🚹later confirmed through pics) came right over to me and extended his pectoral fin to my body! 😍Moments like these highlight the inquisitive nature of these animals. Their playfulness and curiosity provide brief insights into their semi secret lives 😍🐳💦That connection and moment will be with me for a long time. It's also a massive cherry on top, especially after finishing my phd thesis dedicated largely to humpback whales 🙏 #scicomm ✅ Wondering what those bumby bits are around its mouth? Their tubercles, we are not exactly sure what purpose they serve but each tubercle has a hair. We think this may play a role in touch and communication. They also play hydrodynamic roles.... . . . . . #whale #whales #whaleon #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography #experience #adventure #beautiful #baby #nature #naturelovers #wildlife #wildlifephotography #girlswhofreedive #underwater #ocean #sea #conservation #whaleswim #beauty #escape #paradise #wild #abcmyphoto #travel #bucketlist #scuba
The wonder of whale vomit! Delighted to be an invited guest for Richard Glover’s Self Improvement Wednesday on @abcinsydney radio. I spoke about sperm whales and how they produce ambergris aka whale vomit. #scicomm ✅ Sperm whales dive deep in the ocean and feed primarily on giant squid, which have beak-like mouths that are difficult to digest and accumulate in their digestive system. As a result, sperm whales produce ambergris, a secretion coating the squid beaks which contains ambrein- an odourless alcohol- and it’s this that makes ambergris so desirable as a perfume fixative- something that allows perfume to hang around on your skin longer! Sperm whales get rid of ambergris through their digestive system aka via pooing not likely vomiting. Only some sperm whales are capable of producing this. #spermwhale #whale #whalevomit #whalepoo #whales #learn #fact #education #science #communication #marinebiology #marinebiologist #selfimprovementwednesday #Wednesday #womaninscience #teach #listen #radio #faceforradio #radio #onair #talk #pic #instudio #studio #abcsydney @nswnationalparks @nsweducation @women4oceans @womeninstemau @ausacademyofscience @riaus @thescicommunity @macquarieuni @women.doing.science
When photography meets science 📸👩🏽‍🔬🐳💦🇹🇴Teaming up to explore the wonderful world of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) here in Tonga and around the world via @oceansoulsthefilm 🎥 The experience of being around whales is powerful. Post phd and I feel there is so much more to learn. Our passion and enthusiasm for these creatures provides us with the opportunity for science communication, for which I personally feel is incredibly important and now my responsibility as a scientist. A massive thank you to @cressi1946 for gearing us up for the big blue 💦 . . . . . #scicomm #education #learn #experience #phd #ocean #sea #conservation #oceansoulsthefilm #cetacean #whale #whales #dolphin #dolphins #porpoise #tonga #world #freedive #dive #womeninscience #marinebiologist #marinebiology #dive #underwater #underwaterphotography #photoftheday #travel #girlswhofreedive #protect
Gorgeous Tongan sunset 🌅🇹🇴It doesn't get much better than this!#mauifilter @officialmauijim 😎🌺🙌 . . . . #travel #travelling #mauijimsunglasses #maui #sunday #sundayfunday #sundayvibes #sun #sunshine #sunset #travelphotography #pic #photo #photography #relax #chill #tonga #vavau #boat #boatlife
Something amazing happened today here in Tonga 🇹🇴…. A whale shark was spotted!! This individual was around 5-6 metres in length and was swimming close to the surface. Whale sharks can be found here but it's not everyday you get to see them this close! 💦🇹🇴 #scicomm ✅ Did you know whale sharks are the biggest fish?! These animals are capable of large movements across the ocean. Like human fingerprints, whale sharks each have a unique pattern. Scientists can use photographs to try and identify individuals at various locations around the world. New technologies such as satellite tagging can also provide great insight into the movements of these amazing animals. What a day!! . . . . . #whaleshark #shark #sharkweek #sharks #whales #whale #whaleon #underwater #underwaterphotography #ocean #sea #learn #marinebiologist #girlswhofreedive #tonga #vavau #naturephotography #photooftheday #travel #travelling #animals #animal #travelblogger #bucketlist #sharkdiver

The important stuff.

Drone information: 

All drone footage collected under NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services scientific licence 101743. Animal ethics obtained via Macquarie University. Licensed Civil Aviation Safety Authority drone pilots used.  

A BIG thank you to the following:

Whale snot drone collection thanks to Heliguy Scientific. Southern right whale drone footage thanks to SkyCam Media. Underwater whale footage thanks to Emerald Films and SeaLight Pictures. Thank you Joanne Stephan for the Macquarie University lab video. Thank you SkyCam Media and Australian Aerial Imagery for their assistance filming the BBC Presenter Search video. 

Website development- thank you to Cath from the wonderful Catfish Creative!

Portraits by the wonderful Arek Rainczuk from Five Castles Portraits.

Eye protection in the field provided by Maui Jim- thank you!!!

Cart (0)