Shaydinah (Shay) Hamilton joined CERG, Massey University in March 2026 after graduating from the University of Auckland in 2025 with a BSc double major in Marine & Environmental Sciences. Shay is currently employed as a Marine Science Guide at Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safaris (AWADS) while concurrently studying for her Masters degree focused on marine mammal health. Shay's MSc research specifically focuses on the liver health in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), using histopathological (chronic reactive hepatitis, lipidosis, cholangitis), cellular (hepatocyte hyaline inclusions, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic globules) and toxicological markers (Hg, Se, Cd, Zn, Cu and Fe) alongside parasitism to characterise the liver of stranded dolphins in the context of age, sex, reproductive and overall health status.

 

PhD Project:

 

Liver markers in stranded common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from New Zealand. 

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Supervisors:  Prof Karen Stockin and Dr Emma Betty