Dr Vanessa Pirotta
Australian wildlife scientist (whales)
Latest news from under the sea:
Dr Vanessa Pirotta: Premier's NSW Woman of Excellence 2025 Recipient
Explainer: Recap of the rescue effort to free an entangled humpback whale, June 2025
Dive into Vanessa’s educational books
Who is Dr V?
Wildlife scientist
Science communicator
Woman in STEM/STEAM
Children’s author
Premier's NSW Woman of Excellence 2025
TEDx speaker
Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence
Superstar of STEM, Science & Technology Australia
Antarctic Science Foundation Ambassador
Founder of Wild Sydney Harbour citizen science program
Speaker at the United Nations, Rome, Italy
Vessel operator
Follow Vanessa
Click the image to read the story.
Vanessa hosts the 25th Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science
Dr V hosted the 25th Prime Minister’s Prize’s for Science. Click to learn more and nominate for the 2025 prizes. Photo: Australian Government.
Whale-y good viewing:
Meet Dr V
Vanessa’s research uses innovative technologies for wildlife conservation.
As one of Australia’s leading wildlife scientists, Dr Vanessa Pirotta merges cutting-edge technology with conservation science. From using drones to collect whale snot to developing AI tools to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. A passionate communicator, Vanessa has been recognised as one of Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM, the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Women of Influence, Women’s Agenda 2024 Emerging Leader in Science and in 2025, Vanessa was named the NSW Premiers Woman of Excellence.
As the lead scientist for the citizen science project Wild Sydney Harbour, she connects communities with marine life while promoting the fusion of Indigenous knowledge and Western science. Vanessa is also a proud author of educational children’s and adult books, which illuminates her vision for STEAM being part of the everyday.
Marine mammal research with the Gamay Rangers
Vanessa is working collaboratively with the Gamay Rangers to merge First Nations knowledge with science. This project is aimed at monitoring marine mammals on Sea Country and connecting community with our blue backyard of Sydney, Australia.
Wild Sydney Harbour
Sydney’s first dedicated citizen science program for the research of dolphins and fur seals.
Tooth marks and dorsal fins: Understanding Sydney’s dolphins. Click image to read article.
AI for the detection of illegal wildlife trafficking
Vanessa’s land-based research
Click the image to read the full article published in Frontiers in Conservation Science via The Conversation.
Dr V on Play School
Dr Vanessa was invited to join the Play School crew as part of Down at the Beach series. Vanessa spoke about the importance of keeping our beaches clean, provided fun facts about whales and brought in some of her underwater equipment. Play School is Australia’s longest running children’s television show.
Science to help save Australian wildlife
Vanessa is working collaboratively with the Australian Federal Government, Rapiscan Systems and the Taronga Conservation Society Australia to help combat illegal wildlife trafficking. The team proudly joined The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water and The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC, Minister for the Environment at Taronga Zoo regarding Australia’s efforts to help stop illegal wildlife trafficking.
Dr V and Vogue
Vanessa wrote a letter to her 8 year old self for International Women’s Day. Click image to read.
Vanessa was an invited key speaker at the Vogue Codes summit in Sydney, Australia.
Click the image to read the Vogue article.
The mystery of whale strandings
Lunch with Dr V
Click on the image to read article.
Dr V on TV
“Every career path into STEM looks different”
Antarctic Science Foundation Ambassador
Dr Pirotta is a proud ambassador for the Antarctic Science Foundation, which is advancing our understanding and protection of the Antarctic through science. Click the photo to learn more.
Watch Vanessa’s TEDx talk about the ocean:
Terri Irwin and Vanessa chat with Leah
Vanessa surprised Leah (11) with Terri Irwin for one of her mentoring sessions! Here’s a sneak peak:
Do whales fart and sneeze?
Dr Vanessa Pirotta wrote a fun piece for The Conversation Curious Kids section.
Whale vs Croc
Vanessa’s article in The Conversation was the most read article that week!
“We need more women scientists to put their stories out there so girls can see what they can be when they grow up, and boys can see girls in these jobs, too.”
National Science Week
A whale of a tale from the CSIRO’s RV Investigator
Click the image to read the blog.
Marine scientist in the Coral Sea.
Vanessa sailed from New Caledonia into the Coral Sea on a remote research expedition.
Follow Vanessa
The important stuff.
Drone information:
All drone footage collected under NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services scientific licence 101743. Animal ethics obtained via Macquarie University. Licensed Civil Aviation Safety Authority drone pilots used.
