Biography and expertise
Biography
Dr Debra Stokes is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Science & Engineering. Her PhD research studied the impacts of mangrove removal in New Zealand. After completion of the PhD with the University of Waikato in 2010, she commenced her academic role with Southern Cross University. Debra has also worked as an environmental consultant and a coastal ecologist.
Dr Stokes is a member of SCU's Research Clusters:
- Reefs and Oceans
- Catchments, Coasts and Communities
Debra's work contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals
Research
Debra undertakes field research with the aim of increasing our understanding of the interplay between human activities and geomorphological and ecological change within coastal habitats. She also employs the use non-invasive techniques to monitor NSW marine turtle populations and behaviour, particularly drones (remotely piloted aircraft – RPA). The interactions between estuarine vegetation and insect visitors and pollinators is a growing interest.
Teaching
Debra has taught introductory hydrology and climate, introductory geology, introductory marine science, coastal geomorphology, invertebrate biology and Protected Area Management.