Leigh Tait
PhD
Marine Biologist: Ecology, Remote Sensing
Earth Sciences New Zealand
Leigh Tait is marine ecologist specializing in the integration of organism scale physiology to broad scale ecological processes. His research background includes biological and biophysical modelling, and the application and development of novel technologies for up-scaling empirical observations. Leigh has a particular interest in understanding how anthropogenic changes from local to global scales impact the biophysical processes of our oceans.
In the Antarctic Science Platform Leigh has worked on the development of remote-sensing techniques that include underwater remote operated vehicles, aerial drones, and earth-oriented satellites. He has developed techniques and protocols for detecting key ecosystem engineers using enhanced spectral imaging from aerial drones and satellites and has been heavily involved in developing and implementing novel tools that sample the chemical, biogeochemical, and biological structure of Antarctic marine ecosystems.