Isabel Castro (biologist)

Isabel Castro is professor of wildlife biology at Massey University in New Zealand. Her research focuses on conservation biology, primarily of birds and native ecosystems, but also including invertebrates and introduced mammals. She is a principal investigator in the Te Pūnaha Matatini Centre of Research Excellence.

Isabel Castro
Castro in 2004
Academic background
Alma materMassey University
Thesis
Doctoral advisorEdward Minot
Robin Fordham
Brian Springett
Academic work
InstitutionsMassey University

Academic career

Castro has a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from the University of Los Andes, and a Master of Science in environmental biology from Eastern Illinois University.[1] She completed a PhD titled Behavioural ecology and management of Hihi (Notiomystis cincta), an endemic New Zealand honeyeater at Massey University in 1995.[2][1] Castro joined the faculty, and was promoted to full professor in 2021.[3]

Castro's research is around conservation of island species and ecosystems. She studies conservation biology, behavioural ecology, parasites and pathogens and technology for conservation. While her focus is mainly on birds, she has also worked on land snails and introduced mammals.[1][3][4]

Castro is a principal investigator in Te Pūnaha Matatini Centre of Research Excellence.[5] She is a core member of the collaborative project AviaNZ and a member of the Kiwi Recovery Group, Wildbase and the NZ Banding Advisory Committee.[6] She gave training in wildlife monitoring to workers on an award-winning Bay of Islands conservation project,[7] and was part of a collaborative project with Plant & Food Research to determine if native birds can control orchard pests.[8]

Castro has written a guide to the birds of the Galapagos Islands and a children's book about kiwi.[9]

Selected works

References
  1. Massey University, New Zealand. "Prof Isabel Castro – Professor in Wildlife Biology – Massey University". www.massey.ac.nz. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  2. Isabel Castro (1995). Behavioural ecology and management of Hihi (Notiomystis cincta), an endemic New Zealand honeyeater (Thesis). Massey University.
  3. "2021 Professorial promotions announced". www.massey.ac.nz. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  4. "Kiwi conservation starts young in Palmerston North". Manawatū Standard. 14 November 2015.
  5. "Isabel Castro". www.tepunahamatatini.ac.nz. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  6. "About Us". www.avianz.net. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  7. "Bay of Islands' hapū win top environmental award". NZ Herald. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  8. "Native birds on pest control mission". NZ Herald. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  9. Castro, Isabel (2011). "Kiwi: A Natural History". The Children's Bookshop. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
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