Ilaria Spiga
Ph.D. student in the
Coastal Marine System Science at TAMUCC since fall 2006.
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Ilaria Spiga
Background
I received a “Laurea” degree in Biological Sciences (a Master's equivalent) from La Sapienza University in Rome. During my thesis degree I worked on the characterization of Mediterranean fin whale's vocalizations. These animals use sounds called 20-Hz pulse to communicate during the reproduction. Analyzing the physical characteristics of these sounds, sound intensity level and frequency, I have shown that these animals are vocally separated by the other fin whales in the Atlantic Ocean. I worked also on a preliminary study on the effect of anthropogenic noise on these marine mammals in the Ligurian sea, Mediterranean sea, since this area is subjected to intense boat traffic. This worked showed how the anthropogenic noise may be deleterious for marine animals and I decided to pursue a carrier in the bioacoustics field.
Research Interests
I work at the
Center for Bioacoustics on the effects of noise on physiology and development of two of the most important commercial species of the Gulf of Mexico: red drum and spotted sea trout. This project aims to increase the understanding of the relationship between noise and stress factors. I am interested in understanding the short term effects of man-made noise on these fish evaluating the changes in standard physiological stress indicator and the long-term effects on growth, survival and nutrient retention.
- Advisors: Dr. Robert Benson
- Co-chair: Dr. Joe Fox
- Committee members: Dr. David Mc Kee? and Dr. Rebekah Thomas
