Kiera joined CERG, Massey University as a graduate student in March, 2026 where she is undetaking a PhD on the reproductive health of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). Keira's marine biology career started on the eastern shore of Virginia working for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science while studying at the College of William and Mary.  Kiera completed her Masters in Ireland at the University College Cork and completed her thesis under joint supervision of Prof Emer Rogan and Dr Mauricio Cantor (Oregon State University) investigating behavioural dynamics of dolphins participating in a unique example of human-animal cooperation. Between post graduate degrees, Kiera volunteered for multiple seasons of field research collecting data on humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangelie) hearing and auditory tolerance with the Cetacean Ecology Group of Queensland University, Australia. Further research opportunities brought her to Wales and Greece where she supervised interns doing marine mammal research. Aerial surveys of the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) population brought her to Florida for a season and recently she was thrilled to collaborate with the Wild Dolphin Project and Denise Herzing to assist in their dedicated and respectful research of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis); in their world on their terms.

 

PhD Project:

Reproductive health of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in New Zealand

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Supervisors: Prof Karen Stockin, Dr Emma Betty