My research interests are centred in life history evolution and conservation biology of vertebrates, with specific interests in how fluctuating environments can influence population dynamics. The approach has two components - (1) development of testable predictions based on life history models, and (2) testing of the predictions with field-collected data by application of modern mathematical and statistical methods. To fulfil these objectives, my interests include: conservation ecology, wildlife management, evolutionary ecology, foraging behaviour, resource partitioning, allometry of growth and reproduction, stage-structured population models, bio-chronology, quantitative methods in ecology, life history theory, stable isotope analysis, satellite telemetry, and adaptive management.
Active involvement in sea turtle research since 1979. Research or consulting projects on loggerhead turtles in Georgia, Florida, Australia, and Oman; leatherback turtles in Puerto Rico and French Guiana; hawksbill turtles in Puerto Rico, Haiti, and Australia; olive ridley turtles in Costa Rica, French Guiana, and India; Kemp’s ridleys in Florida; green turtles in Puerto Rico, Australia, and Malaysia; flatback turtles in Australia. Member: IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group, International Sea Turtle Society, former Florida Marine Turtle Permit Holder.
ACADEMIC
2013 Adjunct Scientist, Mote Marine Laboratory
2003 Courtesy Associate Professor, Univ. Florida, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Dept.
2001 Postdoctoral Fellow, Colorado State Univ., College of Natural Resources
2000 Adjunct Research Fellow, University of Canberra, Institute for Applied Ecology
1997 Ph.D. Zoology, Univ. Queensland
1989 M.S. Zoology, Univ. Georgia
1979 B.S. Biology, Georgia Southern College (Biological Oceanography)
Professional Positions
2013-18 Senior Research Scientist, Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.
2012-13 Senior Scientist, Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida
2005-13 Program Manager, Sea Turtle Conservation and Research, Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida
2003-11 Staff Scientist, Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida
2002 Research Officer, Environmental Statistics, Distance Learning Courses, Univ. Canberra
2001 Biologist, US Geological Survey, Guam
1999 Consultant - Freshwater Ecology, Queensland Department of Natural Resources
1997-00 Senior Conservation Officer, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Western Australia Marine Science Institution- Marine Turtle Node
North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Plan
Waayers D, Tucker T, Whiting S, Groom R, Vanderklift M, Pilans R, Rossendell J, Pendoley K, Hoenner X, Thums M, Dethmers K, Limpus CJ, Wirsig A, McMahon C, Strydom A, Whittock P, Howlett K, Oades D, McFarlane G, Duke T, Guinea M, Whiting A, Speirs M, King J, Hattingh K, Heithaus M, Mau R, Holley D (2019) Satellite tracking of marine turtles in south eastern Indian Ocean: a gap analysis of deployments spanning 1990-2016. Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter 29, 23-37
Whiting S, Tucker T, Pendoley K, Mitchell N, Bentley B, Berry O, FitzSimmons N (2018) Marine Turtles in the Kimberley: key biological indices required to understand and manage nesting turtles along the Kimberley coast. Western Australia Marine Science Institution Project 1.2.2 report. 146 pp.
