Dr Bree Woods
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Current research
The deep ocean is the largest habitat on earth and despite harsh environmental conditions, is full of life. I study the organisms that live in this challenging environment, specifically lanternfish and pelagic squids. In the Southern Ocean, lanternfish and squid are a key energy pathway to higher-order predators including seals, penguins, and flying seabirds. My research aims to understand how these mid-trophic level organisms fit into the broader Southern Ocean food web.
Featured article: Transporting carbon: Why micronekton are important.
What my project involves
My project involved many many hours in the lab with fish –including identifying them by their otolith morphology and dissecting out tissue for stable isotopes. I’ve also spent many hours in front of my computer with my two best friends, R and Overleaf. Luckily, I’ve also had the opportunity to spend time in the field with seabirds and on a research voyage into the Southern Ocean.
Fun trivia about my research
Research project in a haiku
The Southern Ocean,
Darkness holds tasty delights,
Fish hide in the depths.
Research-related interests
Stable isotopes, spatial distribution modeling, predator-prey relationships, whole ecosystem perspectives. I am passionate about research that informs the conservation and management of ecosystems. I believe in the power of collaboration among marine ecologists and across other disciplines to achieve our conservation goals.
About me
In my free time you will usually find me outdoors, hiking in the Tasmanian wilderness or climbing.
Previous work I've done
I got confused about my career choices along the way and studied/worked in cell biology and then became an audiologist.
Committees and affiliations
SCAR Expert Group on Antarctic Biodiversity Informatics(EG-ABI)
