Profiles
Heidi Auman
Heidi J Auman
Honorary Research Associate/Adjunct Lecturer
Room 346 , Biological Sciences
+61 3 6226 6279 (phone)
Dr Heidi Auman has worked as a biologist for most of the past 25 years, focusing mainly on seabird biology. Her research is global in nature with a preference for isolated islands, including those of the US Great Lakes, sub-tropical Midway Atoll, sub-Antarctic Heard Island, and Tasmania. Her specialisations focus upon human impacts on seabirds, including plastic debris ingestion, toxicology, human disturbance, physiology, urbanisation, and diet. She has demonstrated that our ecological footprint as reached the farthest corners of the Earth, often with disturbing consequences.
Career summary
Qualifications
- PhD (2004): Effects of anthropogenic food on the body condition, biochemistry, stable isotopes and egg quality in Silver Gulls Larus novaehollandiae in Tasmania. University of Tasmania
- MSc (1994): Plastic ingestion, biomarkers of health, PCBs and DDE in two species of albatrosses on Sand Island, Midway Atoll. Michigan State University, USA
- BSc (1991): Magna Cum Laude. Relationships of age, productivity and colony site tenacity in Great Lakes Caspian Terns. Alma College, USA
Administrative expertise
Dr Auman is a Scientific Publications Officer for SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) and IMAS (Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies) faculties at UTAS (2014 - present). She was also the Graduate Research Manager at IMAS (2011-2013) and Academic Programs Manager at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (1998-2000).
Teaching
Seabirds, marine debris, plastic ingestion, contaminants, toxicology, science communication
Teaching expertise
Dr Auman is a popular science communicator and has been invited to speak with primary schools up to university courses. She taught two full ornithology courses at Charles Sturt University:
- Avian Biology
- Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation of Birds
Teaching responsibility
Lectures in:
- KSM302: Birds and Mammals of the Southern Ocean
- KSA102: Introduction to Marine and Antarctic Studies
Research Invitations
5-7 December 2007, Massey University, Auckland NZ. Keynote speaker.
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/University of Washington: International
Workshop on Marine Debris 9-11 September 2008. Invited speaker.
View more on Dr Heidi Auman in WARP
Fields of Research
- Conservation and biodiversity (410401)
- Animal physiological ecology (310907)
- Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) (310305)
Research Objectives
- Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences (280102)
- Marine biodiversity (180504)
Publications
Dr Auman has published several peer-reviewed articles as well as dozens of articles for the general public. She has also authored a children's book based on her research - Garbage Guts.
Total publications
39
Highlighted publications
(4 outputs)| Year | Type | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Journal Article | Kelly AA, Lannuzel D, Rodemann T, Meiners KM, Auman HJ, 'Microplastic contamination in east Antarctic sea ice', Marine Pollution Bulletin, 154 Article 111130. ISSN 0025-326X (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111130 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 118Web of Science - 102 Co-authors: Kelly AA; Lannuzel D; Rodemann T; Meiners KM | |
| 2014 | Other Creative Work | Auman HJ, 'Garbage Guts', Dog Ear Publishing, Indianapolis, USA, pp. 64 (2014) [Minor Creative Work] | |
| 1998 | Chapter in Book | Auman HJ, Ludwig JP, Giesy JP, Colborn C, 'Plastic ingestion by Laysan Albatross chicks on Sand Island, Midway Atoll, in 1994 and 1995', Albatross biology and conservation, Surrey Beatty, G Robertson and R Gales (ed), Chipping Norton, pp. 239-344. ISBN 9780949324825 (1998) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 1997 | Journal Article | Auman HJ, Ludwig JP, Summer CL, Verbrugge DA, Froese KL, et al., 'PCBS, DDE, DDT, and TCDD-EQ in two species of albatross on Sand Island, Midway Atoll, North Pacific Ocean', Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 16, (3) pp. 498-504. ISSN 0730-7268 (1997) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/etc.5620160315 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 41 |
Journal Article
(19 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Kelly AA, Lannuzel D, Rodemann T, Meiners KM, Auman HJ, 'Microplastic contamination in east Antarctic sea ice', Marine Pollution Bulletin, 154 Article 111130. ISSN 0025-326X (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111130 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 118Web of Science - 102 Co-authors: Kelly AA; Lannuzel D; Rodemann T; Meiners KM | |
| 2015 | Cousin HR, Auman HJ, Alderman R, Virtue P, 'The frequency of ingested plastic debris and its effects on body condition of short-tailed shearwater (Puffinus tenuirostris) pre-fledging chicks in Tasmania, Australia', Emu, 115, (1) pp. 6-11. ISSN 0158-4197 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1071/MU13086 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 26Web of Science - 22 Co-authors: Virtue P | |
| 2011 | Auman HJ, Bond AL, Meathrel CE, Richardson AMM, 'Urbanization of the Silver Gull: Evidence of Anthropogenic Feeding Regimes from Stable Isotope Analyses', Waterbirds, 34, (1) pp. 70-76. ISSN 1524-4695 (2011) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1675/063.034.0108 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 20Web of Science - 20 Co-authors: Richardson AMM | |
| 2008 | Auman HJ, Meathrel CE, Richardson AMM, 'Supersize Me: Does Anthropogenic Food Change the Body Condition of Silver Gulls? A Comparison Between Urbanized and Remote, Non-urbanized Areas', Waterbirds: the international journal of waterbird ecology, 31, (1) pp. 122-126. ISSN 1524-4695 (2008) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1675/1524-4695(2008)31[122:SMDAFC]2.0.CO;2 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 84Web of Science - 81 Co-authors: Richardson AMM | |
| 2004 | Auman HJ, Woehler EJ, Riddle MJ, Burton H, 'First evidence of ingestion of plastic debris by seabirds at sub-antarctic Heard Island', Marine Ornithology, 32, (1) pp. 105-106. ISSN 1018-3337 (2004) [Refereed Article] Citations: Scopus - 27 | |
| 2004 | Cooper J, Auman HJ, Klavitter J, 'Do the albatrosses on Midway Atoll select cigarette lighters by color?', Pacific Seabirds, 31, (1) pp. 2-4. ISSN 1089-6317 (2004) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2002 | Woehler EJ, Auman HJ, Riddle MJ, 'Long-term population increase of black-browed albatrosses Thalassarche melanophrys at Heard Island, 1947/1948 - 2000/2001', Polar Biology, 25, (12) pp. 921-927. ISSN 0722-4060 (2002) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s00300-002-0436-1 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 5 | |
| 1998 | Klasson-Wehler E, Bergman A, Athanasiadou M, Ludwig JP, Auman HJ, et al., 'Hydroxylated and methylsulfonyl polychlorinated biphenyl metabolites in albatrosses from Midway Atoll, North Pacific Ocean', Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 17, (8) pp. 1620-1625. ISSN 0730-7268 (1998) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/etc.5620170825 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 61 | |
| 1997 | Auman HJ, Ludwig JP, Summer CL, Verbrugge DA, Froese KL, et al., 'PCBS, DDE, DDT, and TCDD-EQ in two species of albatross on Sand Island, Midway Atoll, North Pacific Ocean', Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 16, (3) pp. 498-504. ISSN 0730-7268 (1997) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/etc.5620160315 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 41 | |
| 1996 | Jones PD, Hannah DJ, Buckland SJ, Day PJ, Leathem SV, et al., 'Persistent synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbons in albatross tissue samples from Midway Atoll', Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 15, (10) pp. 1793-1800. ISSN 0730-7268 (1996) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/etc.5620151021 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 30 | |
| 1996 | Ludwig JP, Kurita-Matsuba H, Auman HJ, Ludwig ME, Summer CL, et al., 'Deformities, PCBs, and TCDD-equivalents in double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) and Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) of the upper Great Lakes 1986-1991: testing a cause-effect hypothesis', Journal of Great Lakes Research, 22, (2) pp. 172-197. ISSN 0380-1330 (1996) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/S0380-1330(96)70948-6 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 66Web of Science - 59 | |
| 1995 | Ludwig JP, Auman HJ, Weseloh DV, Fox GA, Giesy JP, et al., 'Evaluation of the effects of toxic chemicals in Great Lakes cormorants: has causality been established?', Waterbirds, 18, (1) pp. 60-69. ISSN 1524-4695 (1995) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.2307/1521524 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Web of Science - 25 | |
| 1995 | Ludwig JP, Summer CL, Auman HJ, Colborn TL, Ludwig FE, et al., 'Band loss in North Pacific populations of Laysan albatross (Diomedea immutabilis) and black-footed albatross (D. nigripes)', North American Bird Bander, 20, (4) pp. 157-164. ISSN 0363-8979 (1995) [Professional, Refereed Article] | |
| 1994 | Ewins PJ, Weseloh DV, Norstrom RJ, Legierse K, Auman HJ, et al., 'Caspian terns on the Great Lakes: organochlorine contamination, reproduction, diet, and population changes, 1972-91', Canadian Wildlife Service. Occasional Papers pp. 30. ISSN 0576-6370 (1994) [Refereed Article] | |
| 1994 | Jones PD, Giesy JP, Newstead JL, Verbrugge DA, Ludwig JP, et al., 'Accumulation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents by double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus, Pelicaniformes) chicks in the North American Great Lakes', Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 27, (2) pp. 192-209. ISSN 0147-6513 (1994) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1006/eesa.1994.1016 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 22Web of Science - 23 | |
| 1993 | Ludwig JP, Auman HJ, Kiruta H, Ludwig ME, Campbell LM, et al., 'Caspian tern reproduction in the Saginaw Bay ecosystem following a 100-Year flood event', Journal of Great Lakes Research, 19, (1) pp. 96-108. ISSN 0380-1330 (1993) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/S0380-1330(93)71201-0 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 55Web of Science - 51 | |
| 1993 | Ludwig JP, Giesy JP, Summer CL, Bowerman W, Aulerich R, et al., 'A comparison of water quality criteria for the Great Lakes based on human and wildlife health', Journal of Great Lakes Research, 19, (4) pp. 789-807. ISSN 0380-1330 (1993) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/S0380-1330(93)71267-8 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 32Web of Science - 29 | |
| 1993 | Mora MA, Auman HJ, Ludwig JP, Giesy JP, Verbrugge DA, et al., 'Polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated insecticides in plasma of Caspian terns: relationships with age, productivity, and colony site tenacity in the Great Lakes', Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 24, (3) pp. 320-331. ISSN 0090-4341 (1993) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/BF01128730 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 65Web of Science - 59 | |
| 1989 | Ludwig JP, Hull CN, Ludwig ME, Auman HJ, 'Food habits and feeding ecology of nesting double-crested cormorants in the upper Great Lakes, 1986-1989', Jack-Pine Warbler, 67, (4) pp. 115-126. ISSN 0021-3845 (1989) [Professional, Non Refereed Article] |
Chapter in Book
(2 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Auman HJ, Ludwig JP, Giesy JP, Colborn C, 'Plastic ingestion by Laysan Albatross chicks on Sand Island, Midway Atoll, in 1994 and 1995', Albatross biology and conservation, Surrey Beatty, G Robertson and R Gales (ed), Chipping Norton, pp. 239-344. ISBN 9780949324825 (1998) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 1998 | Ludwig JP, Summer CL, Auman HJ, Gauger V, Bromley D, et al., 'The roles of organochlorine contamnants and fisheries bycatch in recent population changes in black-footed and Laysan albatrosses in the North Pacific Ocean', Albatross biology and conservation, Surrey Beatty, G Robertson, R Gales (ed), Chipping Norton, pp. 225-238. ISBN 9780949324825 (1998) [Research Book Chapter] |
Conference Publication
(5 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Le P, Fischer AM, Hardesty BD, Auman HJ, Wilcox C, 'Is there a relationship between floating plastic accumulation and fronts over the continental shelf zone of Northeast US?', The 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) Programme, 18-23 September 2022, Busan, Republic of Korea, pp. 302. (2022) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Fischer AM; Hardesty BD; Wilcox C | |
| 2018 | Auman HJ, Collie N, Forbes L, Werkman H, Collie N, 'Deconstructing the Donut', Australian Research Management Society Conference 2018 (ARMS 18), 18-21 September 2018, Hobart, Tasmania (2018) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Collie N; Forbes L; Werkman H | |
| 2017 | Auman HJ, Walsh PH, Cooper K, 'Vanishing Point Unseen: an art/science collaboration on oceanic microplastic pollution', Experimental Histories II: Uncanny Objects in the Anthropocene Program, 05-06 June, Hobart, Tasmania (2017) [Conference Extract] Co-authors: Walsh PH | |
| 2009 | Auman HJ, 'Invited speaker: Incidence of marine debris ingestion in seabirds from Midway Atoll and Heard Island', Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence, Effects, and Fate of Microplastic Marine Debris, 09-11 September, Tacoma, Washington, USA, pp. 254-294. (2009) [Conference Extract] | |
| 2007 | Auman HJ, 'Keynote speaker: Supersize me - does anthropogenic food change the body condition of silver gulls?', Joint New Zealand and Australian Nutrition Societies Conference and Annual Scientific Meeting Proceedings, 05-07 December, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand (2007) [Keynote Presentation] |
Contract Report, Consultant's Report
(6 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Hindell M, Lea MA, Auman H, 'A risk assessment of fur seals interactions with aquaculture in Tasmania', Tassal Group Pty Ltd (2013) [Contract Report] Co-authors: Hindell M; Lea MA | |
| 2012 | Carboneras C, Auman HJ, Cooper J, Misiak W, Baker B, et al., 'ACAP species assessment: Balearic shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus', Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Hobart, Tasmania (2012) [Consultants Report] | |
| 2011 | Auman HJ, Misiak W, 'ACAP species assessment: white-capped albatross Thalassarche steadi', Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Hobart, Tasmania (2011) [Consultants Report] | |
| 2010 | Auman HJ, Misiak W, 'ACAP species assessments: sooty albatross Phoebetria fusca', Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Hobart, Tasmania (2010) [Consultants Report] | |
| 2010 | Auman HJ, Misiak W, 'ACAP species assessments: northern giant petrel Macronectes halli', Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Hobart, Tasmania (2010) [Consultants Report] | |
| 2010 | Auman HJ, Misiak W, 'ACAP species assessment: light-mantled albatross Phoebetria palpebrata', Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Hobart, Tasmania (2010) [Consultants Report] |
Major Creative Work
(3 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Auman HJ, Walsh PH, Virtue P, Olivier F, Carnell S, et al., 'Vanishing Point: an art/science collaboration and exhibition on the impact of microplastics in our oceans', Makers' Space, Burnie (2019) [Other Exhibition] Co-authors: Walsh PH; Virtue P; Olivier F | |
| 2017 | Carnell S, Cooper K, Masters D, Mausz G, Muir Wilson T, et al., 'Vanishing Point Unseen: an art/science collaboration and exhibition on the impact of microplastics in our oceans', IMAS exhibition space (2017) [Other Exhibition] Co-authors: Walsh PH; Virtue P; Olivier F | |
| 2015 | Carnell S, Cooper K, Moss R, Muir Wilson T, Walsh P, et al., 'Vanishing Point: an art/science collaboration on ocean plastics', Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, IMAS exhibition hall (2015) [Other Exhibition] Co-authors: Walsh P; Olivier F; Virtue P |
Other Creative Work
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Auman HJ, 'Garbage Guts', Dog Ear Publishing, Indianapolis, USA, pp. 64 (2014) [Minor Creative Work] |
Thesis
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Auman HJ, 'The effects of anthropogenic food on the body condition, biochemistry, stable isotopes and egg quality of silver gulls in Tasmania' (2008) [PhD] |
Other Public Output
(2 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Auman HJ, 'Spare a thought for the birds of Circular Quay by Peter Walsh', SydneyOperahouse.com, Sydney, 14 September (2021) [Media Interview] | |
| 2014 | Auman HJ, 'Garbage Guts', The Mercury (tasweekend), Hobart, Oct 25-26, 2014 (2014) [Newspaper Article] |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
1
Total funding
Projects
- Funding
- Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment ($2,000)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Richardson AMM; Auman HJ
- Year
- 2005
Research Supervision
Current
2
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Microplastics: The next environmental challenge for Antarctic marine ecosystems? | 2020 |
| PhD | Marine Debris Hotspots in Marine Protected Areas | 2021 |