WAVE Project Overview
The WAVE Project aims to establish a coordinated monitoring system for cetacean populations in collaboration with expedition operators to inform decision making relating to the conservation of Arctic cetaceans and their habitats.
The project brings together a dedicated team of researchers, and conservationists to work towards the common goal of preserving Arctic cetaceans and their habitats. Our team is committed to conducting comprehensive research and analysis to contribute to new and existing conservation efforts and help ensure future of these magnificent marine mammals.
The Team
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Dr. Lauren McWhinnie
Project Lead
Lauren is the driving force behind the WAVE Project, leading the team with her extensive experience in marine mammal conservation and research.
Sophie Cox
Head of Development
As well as her role in developing the WAVE project Sophie's expertise in surveying marine mammals is instrumental in supporting data collection.
Emily Hague
PhD Researcher
Emilys's passion for marine mammal conservation and her dedication to the project's mission make her an invaluable member of the research team.
Dr Kate Gormely
Research Fellow
Kate is an interdisciplinary researcher and passionate marine enthusiast, providing GIS and data analysis expertise to the WAVE project
Heleen Middel
Research Associate
Heleen is an interdisciplinary marine mammal scientist working as a biologist on Arctic and Antarctic expedition ships. She spends summers studying killer whales in Iceland and is involved in marine mammal management in the North Atlantic
Jenna Silk
HX Marine Biologist
Jenna is a marine biologist and expedition guide cruising from pole to pole each year, educating tourists while collecting data for various marine science project including WAVE.
Rhian Bland
PhD Researcher
Rhian's research is focused on mapping Arctic marine mammals and understanding the distribution of species in a rapidly changing north. Supported by and IAPETUS fellowship in partnership with DFO and HX Expeditions.
Dr Verena Meraldi
HX Chief Scientist
Verena is the Chief Scientist at HX Expedition's she helps to coordinate WAVE surveys onboard HX ships, communicates research results to the wider industry and helps supervise Rhian's PhD project.
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Dr Charlotte Findlay
Research Fellow
Charlotte is a marine ecologist at Heriot-Watt University who specialises in understanding the impacts of human-made underwater noise on marine mammals to inform policy decisions and support the development of management and conservation strategies
Alanna Frayne
MSc Researcher
Alanna is a marine mammal researcher studying the anthropogenic impacts of vessels on cetaceans. She overseas the WAVE data collection app and leads field research in the Pacific Northwest and is dedicated to the conservation of the marine environment.
Dr Matt Pine
Research Fellow
Matt is an expert in bioacoustics and underwater noise with extensive experience in passive acoustic monitoring, marine mammal acoustic detection and applied machine learning