Sarah Robinson BSc (Hons)

Expertise and research interests

I studied at the University of Tasmania, and in 2002 I completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours, majoring in Marine, Freshwater and Antarctic Ecology. During my honours year I studied the provisioning strategies of little penguins at the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island, Victoria.

I work as the Support Officer for the AMMC.  I provide scientific, logistical and administrative support to our team at Head Office, on board the Aurora Australis and in the field. I have been with the AMMC since 2002; during this time I have conducted marine mammal research in the field and in the lab, supporting the AMMCs genetics, acoustics and foraging programs. I also assist the preparation of many AMMC and collaborative research projects, and the coordination of workshops such as the Southern Ocean Research Partnerships workshop. I have sailed to Antarctica on board the Aurora Australis three times; twice assisting with marine mammal research and once as Deputy Voyage Leader. I assisted with logistics preparation and coordination of the 2010 Antarctic Whale Expedition on the RV Tangaroa; during the voyage I deployed satellite tags on whales and was Deputy Voyage Leader.

Selected publications

Casper, R. M., N. J. Gales, M. A. Hindell and S. M. Robinson 2006. Diet estimation based on an integrated mixed prey feeding experiment using Arctocephalus seals. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 328: 228-239.

Deagle, B. E., N. J. Gales, K. Evans, S. N. Jarman, S. M. Robinson, T. R. and M. A. Hindell 2007. Studying seabird diet through genetic analysis of faeces: a case study on macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus). PLoS ONE 2(9): e831. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000831.

Gales, N. J., J. Barnes, B. Chittick, M. Gray, S. M. Robinson, J. M. Burns and D. P. Costa 2005. Effective, field-based inhalation anesthesia for ice seals. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 717-727.

Gedamke, J. and S. M. Robinson 2010. Acoustic survey for marine mammal occurrence and distribution off East Antarctica (30-80°E) in January-February 2006. Deep-Sea Research II 57: 968-981.

Robinson, S. M., A. Chiaradia and M. A. Hindell 2005. The effect of body condition on the timing and success of breeding in Little Penguins Eudyptula minor. Ibis 147: 483-489.