Kelsey Stone

Kelsey Stone is a PhD candidate at the School of the Environment, University of Queensland, affiliated with the Cetacean Ecology Group. Their research focuses on mitigating whale entanglements through acoustic deterrent development.

• Qualifications: Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) at Texas A&M University at Galveston; Master of Art (Conservation Biology) at Miami University

Research interests include acoustic deterrence, marine mammal behavior, and conservation strategies. The project analyses data from behavioral response studies like BRAHSS and HHARC to create whale avoidance signals, with field testing planned alongside commercial whale pingers.

Funding:

• Marine Vertebrate Biology Grants Program (Sea World Foundation)
• Winifred Violet Scott Charitable Trust

Collaborators: Associate Professor Rebecca Dunlop and Professor Michael Node.