Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dr Vanessa Pirotta

@drvanessapirotta.bsky.social

1.8K followers 740 following 250 posts

www.instagram.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Dec 2

It’s simple. Many of us share #science. Please join up.

go.bsky.app/H3qcvgP

Please add your name below and expertise and you’ll be added!

#scientistswhocommunicatescience #scicomm #womeninsciencw

140 57 200

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 1d

Shaking up this years @sxswsydney NEXT WEEK with a super cool and informative panel. This will not be boring.

#sxswsydney
#climatechange
#hope
#conservation

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 2d

POV with a revised estimate of the east coast Australian humpback whale population.

New estimates by @DrWallyFranklin and Dr Lyndon Brooks - at least 50,000 individuals.

#humpbackhighway #whales #australia #science #POV

1 5

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 8d

Vale Dr @janegoodallinst. You have inspired us all with your humility, kindness and hope for the future.

At a time like this, it’s important we reflect and as scientists, we join forces to celebrate a great.

Published here: theconversation.com/only-if-we-h...

Reposted by Dr Vanessa Pirotta

Professor Euan Ritchie @euanritchie.bsky.social · 8d

A solemn day as we pay our respects to Dr Jane Goodall and her extraordinary legacy. Vale, Jane, we promise to keep fighting for all that you loved and fought for too!

theconversation.com/only-if-we-h... With @drkyliesoanes.bsky.social, Marissa Parrott, @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social & Zara Bending.

‘Only if we help shall all be saved’: Jane Goodall showed we can all be part of the solution

Jane Goodall showed tremendous courage in charting her own course as a pioneering researcher – and working to spread hope wherever she went.

theconversation.com

3 45 140

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 10d

There’s something special about early morning. It really is the best time of the day.

Early morning whale watch with the @gamayrangers at my very first humpback whale study site, Cape Soldander, Kurnell, Australia.

#whaleon #humpbackhighway #goodmorning #gamayrangers

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 15d

The Tongan Whale Tourism Project is well underway in the Kingdom of Tonga.

This is a community driven project working directly with the Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) and the Kingdom of Tonga Government.

#whale #tonga #research #tourism

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 16d

A HUGE thank you and good luck to all HSC students! You got this… and two whale facts.

Please share this with a student who needs a kind reminder that it will be ok.

Back to the science and being a mumma.

#goodluck #thankyou #narwhal #bellybutton #womeninscience #hsc #school

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 18d

Remember the @channel10au science show Scope?! Hosted by Dr Rob Bell.

Continuing the theme from my @pressclubaust to build strong foundations in STEAM foundational education.

What will your kids come home from school and watch this afternoon?

m.youtube.com/watch?v=gCsL...

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 20d

This week I delivered my first National Press Club address.

Using my personal story of what it’s like to be a marine scientist, I was raw and vulnerable. Even detailing some of the lowest lows.

Watch: m.youtube.com/watch?v=gCsL...

Photos by @fernandapedroso.photography

IN FULL: Dr Vanessa Pirotta's Address to the National Press Club of Australia

YouTube video by National Press Club of Australia

m.youtube.com

3 8

Reposted by Dr Vanessa Pirotta

Australian National Maritime Museum @seamuseum.bsky.social · 20d

Sunday Watch: This week @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social, Honorary Research Associate at the Maritime Museum and leading wildlife scientist gave a National Press Club Address about Australia’s Scientific Future.

https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC2511C033S00

National Press Club Address: Dr Vanessa Pirotta - Wildlife Scientist

Dr Vanessa Pirotta, leading wildlife scientist, addresses the National Press Club of Australia on the topic of Australia's Scientific Future: Built on Education, Connection and Investment.

iview.abc.net.au

1 3

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 22d

Interim post regarding my National Press Club of Australia this week. Currently juggling motherhood and science.

I will make a wrap up thank you post when I come back up for air.

Watch it now:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=gCsL...

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 25d

Tomorrow npc.org.au/events/dr-va...

1 5

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 25d

Tomorrow I deliver a talk to the nation at the National Press Club.

Join me and the one and only @SabraLane live on @abcnews at 1230pm AEST humpday 17th Sept.

npc.org.au/events

#NPC #nationalpressclub #pressclub #canberra #womeninstem #womeninscience #superstarsofSTEM

1 4

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 25d

Next gen whale free diving fins. Thank you to @naomi.gittoes_artist

These fins celebrate the next generation in my world and the whale world.

My calves loved it.

📸 Thank you to @marine_images for the fabulous free diving shot.

#underwater #freedive #fins #lifebelowwater #womeninscience

1 5

Reposted by Dr Vanessa Pirotta

Science in Public @scienceinpublic.bsky.social · Sep 9

Celebrating the 2025 Eureka Prizes:
@drvanessapirotta.bsky.social for marine science advocacy,
@livingseawalls.bsky.social for eco-engineering, and Fission Chips for nanosensor innovation. Science in Public worked with these teams to share their stories: australian.museum/get-involved...

2 5

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · 26d

Mirnong Maat- is Merningar/Menang dialect for ‘Whale travel path/whale journeys’. Privileged to have spent the last week here in WA with Prof Rob Harcourt and team.
photographs in and out of the water taken under permit.

📸 Prof Harcourt

#southernrightwhale #whale #southernright #westernAustralia

1 8

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Sep 1

The 2025 Australian Museum @eurekaprizes.bsky.social will be announced tomorrow. Here’s my 30 sec video....

Proud to say I will be standing on the shoulders of giants, with fellow finalists @rockatscientist and @jodirowley!

Live via lnkd.in/gTSDq5Vb

2 1 6

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Sep 1

Dolphins, spring and Sydney Harbour- Australia really turned it on this arvo…

Www.wildsydneyharbour.com

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Aug 31

Remember the LIVE whale disentanglement on the #GoldCoast back in June 2025?

I caught up with the Australian Sea World Foundation disentanglement team to learn more about how they do this and the specialised gear they used to keep both whales and humans safe.

#sharknet

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Aug 27

Thank you!

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Aug 27

A recovering whale population needs to be understood from all angles. Are we now seeing new behaviours? Has this always been happening? Or, are we just better at documenting it.

Via @60minutes9:
For the full story, subscribe to the 60 Minutes Australia Youtube.

#humpbackwhale #humpbackhighway

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Aug 24

My personal 60 Minutes recap and key messages I want Australia to know.

If you missed the episode, no stress, here it is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRG1...

#humpbackhighway #whales #whale #superstarsofSTEM #womeninscience #citizenscience #queensland #nsw #australia

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Aug 24

60 Minutes Australia: An incredible journey along the #HumpbackHighway

International followers, this will be available via the 60 Minutes @youtube channel.

840pm, @60minutes.bsky.social

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Aug 21

60 Minutes, Sunday 24th August. We’re bringing the sunshine into your living room.

Whales will feature with some of the most wonderful humans who are helping science learn more about them.

@60Minutes @Channel9 @TheTodayShow

#60minutes #tv #humpbackhighway

Dr Vanessa Pirotta @drvanessapirotta.bsky.social · Aug 20

Research update: The evolution of cutting edge research.

A collaborative Australian led study with Rapiscan, @taronga and the Australian Federal Government.

#wildlifetrade #wildlife #trafficking #AI #technology

1 2