Personal profile
Personal profile
Melanie's area of expertise covers the fields of behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation biology. Her current research focuses on contemporary adaptation, consequences of population bottlenecks and interactions between native and exotic species. Her research is aimed at understanding mechanisms that underlie severe declines or extinction of animal populations and at integrating novel concepts into conservation management and reintroduction efforts in order to ensure the long-term survival of native species.
Research Interests
- Management of endangered bird species
- Reintroduction biology
- Conservation genetics
- Quantifying threats of invasive species and diseases to native birds
- Seabird ecology and evolution
Professional Information
External Appointments & Memberships:
- Australasian Seabird Group (part of Birdlife Australia) (Executive Committee Member and Treasurer)
- Australian Evolution Society
- International Society for Behavioural Ecology
Editorial roles on journals:
- Austral Ecology (Associate Editor)
Teaching
- BIO216/416: Conservation Biology
- BIO430: Avian Biology
- BIO439: Behavioural Ecology
- BIO433: Ornithological Methods
- SCI302: International Practical Experience to Nepal
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Otago
2004
Master of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland
2000
Bachelor of Science, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University
1996
Registered Supervisor
- Yes
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Can Australian honeyeaters recognise the odours of native and exotic predators?
Creece, D., McDonald, S., Freire, R. & Massaro, M., Mar 2026, In: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 80, 3, p. 1-15 15 p., 26.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Dance behaviour in cockatoos: Implications for cognitive processes and welfare
Lubke, N., Held, S. D. E., Massaro, M. & Freire, R., 06 Aug 2025, In: PLoS One. 20, 8, p. 1-12 12 p., e0328487.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)65 Downloads (Pure) -
Past research and future directions in understanding how birds use their sense of smell
Creece, D., Freire, R. & Massaro, M., Oct 2025, In: Ibis. 167, 4, p. 853-881 29 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)32 Downloads (Pure) -
Transferability of fine-scale species distribution models across islands: can they predict suitability of potential reintroduction sites for threatened island birds?
Massaro, M., Whitsed, R., Warren, D., MacFarlane, A. & Briskie, J. V., 20 Oct 2025.Research output: Other contribution to conference › Presentation only › peer-review
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Wind exposure as a predictor variable to improve species distribution models
Whitsed, R. & Massaro, M., 20 Oct 2025.Research output: Other contribution to conference › Presentation only › peer-review
Datasets
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Data from: Energetic fitness: field metabolic rates assessed via 3D accelerometry complement conventional fitness metrics
Gremillet, D. (Creator), Lescroel, A. (Creator), Ballard, G. (Creator), Dugger, K. M. (Creator), Massaro, M. (Creator), Porzig, E. L. (Creator) & Ainley, D. G. (Creator), Dryad, 30 Jan 2019
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.n802d, https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.n802d
Dataset
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Data from: Evolutionary factors affecting the cross-species utility of newly developed microsatellite markers in seabirds
Moodley, Y. (Creator), Masello, J. F. (Creator), Munimanda, G. K. (Creator), Cole, T. L. (Creator), Thali, M. R. (Creator), Alderman, R. (Creator), Cuthbert, R. J. (Creator), Marin, M. (Creator), Massaro, M. (Creator), Navarro, J. (Creator), Phillips, R. A. (Creator), Ryan, P. G. (Creator), Suazo, C. G. (Creator), Cherel, Y. (Creator), Weimerskirch, H. (Creator), Quillfeldt, P. (Creator) & Calderon, L. (Creator), Zenodo, 15 Jan 2015
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.rc917, https://zenodo.org/records/5014494
Dataset
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Genomic trajectories of a near-extinction event in the Chatham Island black robin
von Seth, J. (Creator), van der Valk, T. (Creator), Lord, E. (Creator), Sigeman, H. (Creator), Olsen, R.-A. (Creator), Knapp, M. (Creator), Kardailsky, O. (Creator), Robertson, F. (Creator), Hale, M. (Creator), Houston, D. (Creator), Kennedy, E. (Creator), Dalén, L. (Creator), Norén, K. (Creator), Massaro, M. (Creator), Robertson, B. C. (Creator) & Dussex, N. (Creator), Figshare, 11 Nov 2022
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6294542
Dataset
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Additional file 2 of Genomic trajectories of a near-extinction event in the Chatham Island black robin
von Seth, J. (Creator), van der Valk, T. (Creator), Lord, E. (Creator), Sigeman, H. (Creator), Olsen, R.-A. (Creator), Knapp, M. (Creator), Kardailsky, O. (Creator), Robertson, F. (Creator), Hale, M. (Creator), Houston, D. (Creator), Kennedy, E. (Creator), Dalén, L. (Creator), Norén, K. (Creator), Massaro, M. (Creator), Robertson, B. C. (Creator) & Dussex, N. (Creator), Figshare, 11 Nov 2022
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21542201
Dataset
Prizes
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Communication Research Output Acceleration Program
Holland, T. (Recipient), Kong, S. (Recipient), Truong, V. (Recipient), Mansourian, Y. (Recipient), Massaro, M. (Recipient) & Wise, D. (Recipient), Aug 2024
Prize: Grant › Successful
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The Durno Murray Award for Best Paper in Corella 2020
Massaro, M. (Recipient), Lawrence, C. (Recipient) & Briskie, J. V. (Recipient), 04 Mar 2021
Prize: Award › External award
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World Seabird Conference
Massaro, M. (Participant)
04 Oct 2021 → 08 Oct 2021Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Conference/Symposium › Academic
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Parasite communities of waterbirds in the Murray Darling Basin
Shamsi, S. (Principal Supervisor) & Massaro, M. (Co-supervisor)
2021 → 2024Activity: Supervision/Examination/Mentoring › Internal HDR Supervision
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Life-history and behavioural responses to nest predation in Australian and New Zealand birds
Massaro, M. (Principal Supervisor)
2013 → 2017Activity: Supervision/Examination/Mentoring › Internal HDR Supervision
Press/Media
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Currawongs plight draws Charles Sturt researchers to Lord Howe Island
Massaro, M., Whitsed, R. & Segal, R.
23/07/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Hybrid speciation: when two species become three
23/06/19 → 01/07/19
1 item of Media coverage, 1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Excluding feral livestock to conserve native fauna
Massaro, M., Mihailou, H., Nimmo, D. & Price, J.
08/12/17
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
Impacts
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Recovery of Chatham Island Black Robin
Massaro, M. (Creator), Whitsed, R. (Creator), Hall, A. (Creator), Briskie, J. V. (Creator), Hale, M. L. (Creator), Sainudiin, R. (Creator) & Hautphenne, S. (Creator)
Impact: Environmental Impact