Sue Anne Zollinger

Dr. Sue Anne Zollinger is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Physiology within the Department of Life Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her integrative research combines field and laboratory approaches to investigate animal communication mechanisms and environmental impacts, particularly focusing on bioacoustics and urban ecology.

Education:

• PhD

Dr. Zollinger's research centers on understanding how physiological and environmental forces shape animal signaling systems, with expertise spanning urban ecology, endocrinology, functional morphology, and sensory biology. Current projects examine the Impacts of Urbanisation on Wildlife, The Evolution of Vocal Complexity, and Bioacoustics as a Tool for Conservation and Welfare. Her work emphasizes the interplay between anthropogenic noise pollution and animal communication strategies.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2016-2021) reveals consistent focus on traffic noise effects on avian vocal development, stress physiology, and communication efficacy. Key trends include investigation of the Lombard effect, vocal plasticity across species, and physiological consequences of urban noise exposure on immune function and growth.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Dr. Zollinger actively supervises students across undergraduate and postgraduate programs while leading international research collaborations. She teaches core units including Animal Health and Welfare, Brain and Behaviour (as Unit Leader), Avian Biology and Conservation, and Practical Techniques and Analysis across BSc Animal Behaviour and Conservation, BSc Zoology, and MSc Zoo Conservation Biology programs.

Her research team operates in both field and laboratory settings, investigating real-world impacts of human activities on wildlife communication systems through controlled experiments and ecological monitoring.