Henry Slesser is a molecular ecologist whose research focuses on the ecology, recovery and conservation of baleen whales. His work uses molecular and biochemical approaches to understand how wildlife populations are structured, how they respond to exploitation and environmental change, and how their ecological roles may shift under changing climatic conditions.

Henry’s current research focuses on humpback whales in the southwestern Atlantic and Scotia Sea, where he investigates population structure, foraging ecology and habitat use. This work explores how recovering humpback whale populations are connected across the region, what they feed on, and how their foraging strategies influence conservation and management. In particular, his research considers the management implications of whale diet and habitat use in rapidly changing Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic ecosystems.

Henry applies a range of techniques to address ecological questions, including genetic analyses to investigate population structure, epigenetic methods to estimate age, hormone analyses to assess demography and reproductive status, and stable isotope and fatty acid analyses to reconstruct diet, trophic position and foraging habitat.

More broadly, Henry is interested in applying molecular and biochemical tools across species to solve ecological problems. His research interests include using these approaches to resolve food web dynamics, understand predator–prey interactions, assess population connectivity, and generate evidence to support conservation and management in changing ecosystems.

Research interests

• Molecular ecology and conservation genetics
• Baleen whale ecology and population structure
• Foraging ecology and trophic interactions
• Stable isotope and fatty acid ecology
• Wildlife endocrinology and reproductive ecology
• Epigenetic approaches to age estimation
• Population connectivity and movement ecology
• Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic ecosystems
• Evidence-based conservation and wildlife management

Collaborations

Henry collaborates with researchers and conservation organisations across the UK, New Zealand and North America to advance understanding of marine mammal ecology and conservation. His collaborative research integrates expertise in molecular ecology, wildlife physiology and marine science, with partnerships spanning academia, government research and the conservation sector.

Current collaborations

• Falklands Conservation
• Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), University of St Andrews
• Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University
• Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland School of Biological Sciences
• University of Cambridge

Slesser, H.W. et al. (In revision). Sex ratio, pregnancy status and blubber testosterone concentrations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on foraging grounds in the Southwestern Atlantic. Marine Mammal Science.

Weir, C.R., Fernandez, S., Jackson, J.A., Miller, A., Sucunza, F., Slesser, H.W., & Zerbini, A.N. (2024). Movements and behaviour of southern right whales satellite-tracked in and beyond a subantarctic archipelago wintering ground. Endangered Species Research, 55, 229–245. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01371

Slesser, H.W. & Trueman, C.N. (2021). Traceability of the Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) in UK Shelf Seas: A Stable Isotope Approach. Journal of Shellfish Research, 40(1), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.2983/035.040.0115

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

Humpback whale population recovery and ecology in the South Atlantic and Scotia Sea

Investigating the recovery of humpback whale populations using molecular and biochemical approaches to understand population structure, connectivity, foraging ecology and habitat use. This work aims to improve understanding of how recovering whale populations are responding to environmental change and inform conservation and management.

Epigenetic approaches to ageing in marine mammals

Applying DNA methylation approaches to estimate age in marine mammals (humpback whales and southern right whales) and improve understanding of population demography, life-history variation and the impacts of environmental change on wildlife populations.

Foraging ecology and trophic dynamics of Southern Ocean predators

Using stable isotopes, fatty acids and biochemical approaches to investigate diet, trophic position and habitat use in marine predators, helping to understand their roles within changing Southern Ocean ecosystems.

Molecular tools for wildlife conservation

Applying genetic, epigenetic and endocrine techniques to address ecological questions, including population connectivity, reproductive biology and demographic processes across marine species.

Highlights

• Molecular ecologist specialising in baleen whale ecology, conservation and population recovery.
• Postdoctoral Researcher at the British Antarctic Survey, investigating humpback whales in the South Atlantic and Scotia Sea.
• Integrating genetics, epigenetics, endocrinology, stable isotopes and fatty acids to understand wildlife populations and ecosystem change.
• Developing molecular approaches to improve understanding of marine mammal age, demography and life-history variation.
• Research supporting evidence-based conservation and management of marine ecosystems.
• Working with charitable partners, including South Georgia Heritage Trust and Friends of South Georgia Island, to support research and conservation initiatives in the Southern Ocean.
• International collaborations spanning academia and conservation organisations across the UK, New Zealand and North America.