Fiona is a PhD student studying the ecology, behavior, and health of humpback whales in Southeast Alaska, using drone photogrammetry, systematic point transect surveys, photo-ID data and spatial modeling. Her research integrates seven years of body condition data with whale distribution and foraging patterns across key regions such as Frederick Sound, Chatham Strait, and Icy Strait. She aims to identify high-density areas, quantify their value for mass acquisition, and understand how changing ocean conditions may affect whale health. Working closely with the Alaska Whale Foundation as a Graduate Fellow, she produces science that supports ecosystem-based management and marine spatial planning. Fiona is committed to strengthening the bridge between scientific evidence and global policy and to ensuring that early career researchers have a meaningful voice in the conversations that guide the future of ocean stewardship.
Find Fiona on Google Scholar and ORCID:
Fiona Elaine-Strasser
Fiona's Research Aims
Fiona’s doctoral research investigates the ecological, behavioral, and health dynamics of humpback whales in Southeast Alaska, with a particular focus on identifying and evaluating biologically important foraging hotspots. She examines the ecological significance of these areas by linking whale spatial density, distribution, individual space use, and foraging behavior to body condition and indicators of fitness. Using an integrated approach that combines drone-based photogrammetry, long-term point transect surveys, photo-ID, and spatial analyses, her work aims to:
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Quantify spatial and temporal patterns in humpback whale density and distribution across Southeast Alaska and describe how habitat use shifts within and across foraging seasons
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Identify ecological core areas by assessing site fidelity, residency, and repeated habitat use, and determine whether whales that rely on these areas show improved body condition or faster seasonal gains
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Determine the oceanographic and environmental drivers that shape and sustain high-density foraging areas and assess how inter-annual variability and changing ocean conditions influence whale body condition and habitat resilience
Biography
Growing up near the Alps in Germany, far from the sea, Fiona followed her curiosity wherever it led her. She studied Biology in Austria and spent exchange semesters in South Africa and Australia, experiences that helped her build a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems. She later completed an international Master’s in Marine Biology, studying at universities in Portugal, Italy, and France. After graduating, she moved to the Azores for an internship with the Whale Lab at the University of the Azores, where she learned the foundations of behavioral cetacean research, particularly on sperm whales. During this time she earned her Dive Master certification and worked as a whale-watching and dive guide, which sparked her interest in sharing science with the public. This eventually opened the door to guiding polar expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. Alongside this work, Fiona contributed to the EU-funded EuroSea project, supporting efforts to strengthen ocean observing and forecasting systems. She also served as Germany’s All-Atlantic Youth Ambassador, representing early career ocean professionals at international conferences. She has participated in high-level discussions, including the UN Ocean Decade kickoff in 2021 and the 2024 conference in Barcelona, where she continues to advocate for the voice of young scientists to be included in major decisions about the ocean’s future.