School of Science

Dr Sora Marin-Estrella

Sora is the Southwest Campus Coordinator for M04, Bachelor of Science and a researcher within the School of Science.

Background

• 2019 – present: Campus Course Coordinator, School of Science, Edith Cowan University
• 2016 – present: Causal lecturer and tutor, School of Science, Edith Cowan University
• 2016 - 2019: Independent Researcher. Wetlands Research and Management
• 2013 - 2015: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Science, Edith Cowan University
• 2009 – 2013: Adjunct Lecturer, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia
• 2009 - 2011: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia

Professional Memberships

• 2020 – present: The Stilt, the scientific journal of the Australasian Wader Studies Group (editorial board)
• 2014 – present: Bird-Life Australia (Member)
• 2012 – present: Australasian Wader Study Group (Member)
• 2004 - present: International Wader Study Group (Member)
• 2002 - present: Spanish Ornithology Society (Member)
• 2002- 2018:  American Ornithology Union (Member)
• 2002- 2018: Cooper Ornithology Society (Member)
• 2003- 2018: Waterbird Society (Member)
• 2003- 2018: Wilson Ornithological Society (Member)
• 2006- 2018: Association of Field Ornithologists (Member)

Awards and Recognition

National and International Awards

2009: Postdoctoral Research Award. Spanish Ministry of Science and Education. Centre: University of Western Australia. Supervisors: Dr. Andrew Storey (University of Western Australia) and Prof. Theunis Piersma (University of Groningen and Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research).

Research Areas and Interests

My research focusses on coastal ecology and conservation biology and the impact of human activities on these ecosystems. I evaluate the quality of natural and man-made wetlands as foraging grounds for migratory and non-migratory waterbirds, particularly shorebirds, as well as assesses the potential role of man-made and modified wetlands as buffer habitats against habitat loss and climate change. A large part of my research is centred on trophic ecology, studying the trophic relationships of different organisms in coastal ecosystems as well as the behavioural and feeding mechanisms’ flexibility in migratory shorebirds. My research encompasses intertidal, supratidal and hypersaline habitats.

Qualifications

• Doctor from the university of Cadiz, Spain, 2007.
• BNachelor fo Marine Science, Spain, 1997.

Research Outputs

Research Projects

• Trophic ecology and habitat use of waterbirds in the Vasse-Wonnerup Ramsar Wetland. , South West Natural Resource Management, Grant, 2024 ‑ 2028, $290,551.
• Monitoring the food availability for shorebirds in Leschenault Estuary, Leschenault Catchment Council, Grant, 2024 ‑ 2026, $16,000.
• Migratory Shorebirds habitat use and trophic webs on the Pilbara Coast, Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Grant, 2024 ‑ 2026, $170,300.
• Identifying the ecological roles, values and functions of intertidal benthic communities and habitat, Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Grant, 2023 ‑ 2025, $1,046,000.
• Finding space: Breeding territory abandonment in Western Hooded Plover in association with human use of beaches and altered habitat quality., Royal Society of Western Australia, RSWA John Glover Research Support Grants, 2024, $15,000.
• Data Analysis for the Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (WA), Tender, 2020 ‑ 2021, $39,088.
• Monitoring the food availability for shorebirds in Leschenault Estuary, Leschenault Catchment Council, Grant, 2020 ‑ 2021, $7,058.
• Dampier Salts sites and ponds and their importance for migratory and other shorebirds, Dampier Salt Limited Perth Division, Grant-Dampsalt, 2010 ‑ 2015, $394,997.

Research Student Supervision