Hannah joined CERG in February 2023. Her MSc research focuses on lesions of New Zealand common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). Hannah completed her undergraduate degree in Zoology and Marine Ecology at Massey university in 2021. Hannah’s research interests have always been centred around marine mammal conservation.

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MSc Project: Rake Marks – A Reliable Indicator of Sex, Age and Reproductive Status in New Zealand Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis)? 

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Supervisors: Prof Karen Stockin & Dr Katharina Peters

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Hannah's project will examine rake marks (tooth scarring) and wider lesions on stranded New Zealand common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) to determine what biotic and abiotic drivers most influence occurrence and prevalence. Rake marks will be assessed (by individual and body sector), specifically, in relation to ontogeny (sex, age, reproductive status) and health (blubber thickness, axillary girth) parameters. Hannah’s postgraduate research is supported by the Wildbase Research Trust.