Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals

Julia Burrows

Duke University Marine Laboratory

Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Dunedin, New Zealand
I am extremely grateful to the Challenger Society for helping to support my attendance at the Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Dunedin, New Zealand in December 2013.

There was a diversity of research presented at the conference.  Oral and poster presentation topics included marine mammal conservation, behaviour, distribution and abundance, physiology, ecology, acoustics, health, population biology, and more.  I presented a poster on my dissertation research on the fine-scale foraging behaviour of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Southeast Alaska.  At the very crowded poster session, I met and discussed my research with many professionals in the field, where I shared and received ideas on analysis and future directions from colleagues doing similar research.

There were many opportunities for interaction with old and new friends and colleagues in more informal settings as well.  During the weeklong conference, I was able to meet with collaborators from Alaska and socialize and network with former graduates of my master’s program.  I attended a student affairs workshop where I met old friends and enjoyed an inspirational talk by the president of the Society on the wide variety of careers for which our PhD can prepare us (science and non-science alike).  In addition to the conference and associated events, I had the opportunity to explore the lovely city of Dunedin, including the Otago Peninsula and its world-class wildlife viewing!

Overall, the conference was a wonderful experience.  Thank you to the Challenger Society for helping to make it happen!

Julia Burrows
Duke University Marine Laboratory
Beaufort, NC, USA

Latest News

The Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) Open Meeting

The Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) invites the marine community, particularly those from a policy, commercial, academic and conservation background, to an open meeting to introduce the new MEDIN Business Plan 2024-2029 and to discuss how the wider community can contribute to the future developments in UK marine data management.

Wednesday 24th April 2024 – HYBRID (The Crown Estate, 1 St James's Market, St. James's, London SW1Y 4AH and online using Microsoft Teams)

Read More


The 13th Annual General Meeting of the NOC Association

The 13th Annual General Meeting of the NOC Association of Marine Science National Capability Beneficiaries (NOCA) will take place during the mornings of Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th June 2024. This free event will be conducted virtually on Zoom and is open to anyone with an interest in the marine environment.

Read More


Calling all Ocean Innovators and Experts!

Mark your calendars for March 12th to 14th, 2024, because @ Oceanology International 2024 is
returning with all its inspiring, innovative, and fresh ideas. Blue Economy, Energy Transition,
Sustainability, Ocean Mining and Oil & Gas are some of the key fundamental areas that Oi24 will be
focusing.

Read More