Kate L. Mansfield, Ph.D.

CIMAS: Visiting Assistant Research Professor, Florida International University; Sea Turtle Team, Protected Resources and Biodiversity Division

Contact

Background

Ph.D. 2006: College of William and Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Fisheries Science Department
M.A. 1995: University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Marine Affairs and Policy Division
B.A. 1992: Mount Holyoke College, Departments of Biology and Philosophy
Visiting Assistant Research Professor, CIMAS/Florida International University, School for Environment, Arts and Society and NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, FL (October 2011-present)
National Academies NRC Postdoctoral Research Associate
NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, FL (July 2009-October 2011)

Affiliate Research Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL (June 2009 to present; kmansfie@fau.edu)
Courtesy Assistant Scholar/Scientist/Engineer
Florida International University, Miami, FL (November 2010 - present)
Postdoctoral Associate/Scientist
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Marine Affairs and Policy Division; University of Miami, Miami, FL (July 2007 - June 2009)

Research

Sea turtle biology, ecology, behavior, management and conservation
Using various census and telemetry methods (aerial surveys, in-water mark and recapture, and satellite, radio and acoustic telemetry), examines sea turtle movements and migration and habitat utilization. Specialties include:
- satellite, radio and acoustic telemetry
- endangered and protected species conservation and policy
- animal behavior
- aerial abundance estimates
- marine ecology, biology and policy
- fisheries science
- coastal fisheries management
- fisheries bycatch reduction
Currently testing small-scale satellite, radio and acoustic telemetry on hatchling and neonate sea turtles with the goal of describing early sea turtle dispersal and habitat utilization.
Research links and educational outreach:

Selected Publications

Mansfield, K.L., J. Wyneken, D. Rittschoff, M. Walsh, C.W. Lim and P. Richards. (in press) Satellite tag attachment methods for tracking neonate loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles. Marine Ecology Progress Series; doi: 10.3354/meps09485.
Mansfield, K.L. 2011. Tracking sea turtles through time and space. Florida Environmental Outreach Magazine, 2(3): 10-12.
Mansfield, K.L. 2010. Sea turtles: ancient creatures with modern problems. Online ActionBioscience publication, American Institute of Biological Sciences, Washington, D.C. http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/mansfield.html (accessed 8/2010).
Mansfield, K.L., V.S. Saba, J. Keinath, and J.A. Musick. 2009. Satellite telemetry reveals a dichotomy in migration strategies among juvenile loggerhead sea turtles in the northwest Atlantic. Marine Biology. 156:2555-2570.
Mansfield, K.L. 2003. Surfacing for Science. Virginia Marine Resources Bulletin, Vol. 35, No. 2, Fall 2003. Virginia Sea Grant Program, Gloucester Point, VA. Pp 2-8.
Seney, E. E., K.L. Mansfield, and J. A. Musick. 2003. Summary of Virginia Sea Turtle Strandings during 2002. Catesbeiana 23(2): 61-63.

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