Isabella Reeves is from the College of Science and Engineering and is one of the recipients for the 2025 HDR Student Research Impact Prize and was supervised by Dr Lauren Meyer, Professor Rob Edwards, Associate Professor Andrew Foote and Mr John Totterdell.

Isabella thesis was titled “Evolutionary Ecology of Australasian Killer whales (Orcinus orca)”

We invited Isabella to share insights to the PhD journey, the research and what the award means.

What does your thesis explore?

This thesis examined the ecology, evolution, and conservation of Australasian killer whales, integrating genomic, ecological, and dietary evidence to resolve long-standing uncertainty around their population history, genetic diversity, and ecological function. It develops and applies cutting-edge genomic and interdisciplinary methods, reshapes prevailing theory on killer whale evolution and adaptation, and fundamentally revises historical narratives by integrating museum genomics with First Nations knowledge and perspectives.

Tell us about your PhD journey

My PhD journey has taken me across a remarkable range of environments, from tropical to polar regions, to study the ecology and evolution of Australasian killer whales. It has been a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and scientific pursuit, bringing together genomics, ecological data, and Indigenous knowledge to better understand their population history, diversity, and behaviour across contrasting marine systems.

What does winning this award mean to you?

Winning the HDR Impact Prize is a deeply meaningful recognition of my PhD research, which integrates genomics, ecology, and Indigenous knowledge to reshape understanding of Australasian killer whales. It reflects both the scientific and real-world impact of the work, as well as the collaborative journey behind it in reframing historical narratives and informing future conservation.