EDUCATION

Ph.D., University of Pretoria (UP), Mammal Research Institute, South Africa (2020)
Dissertation: “Chronological monitoring of nutritional and hormonal status of elephant seals through whisker analysis”. Completed in collaboration with University of New Mexico and the University of Stellenbosch

M.Sc., Department of Zoology and Entomology, UP (2016)
Thesis: “Diet of underyearling southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina from Marion Island: a stable isotope investigation”

B.Sc. (Honours) Zoology (project and course-based), UP (2011)
Project: “Assessing the invasive potential of silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in South Africa”

B.Sc., UP (2010)
Biochemistry, Ecology, Evolution, Zoology

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

Postdoctoral Scientist, Centre for Stable Isotopes, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico (2021-Pres).
Researcher, Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme, University of Pretoria (UP) (2021)
Marine mammal and bird observer, ECOgaps Antarctic expedition, Norwegian RV Kronprins Haakon (2019)
Research Field Assistance, MV SA Agulhas II Ross seal tagging Antarctic expeditions (2015 and 2019)
Research Field Assistance, Department of Environmental Affairs, South African National Antarctic Programme. (2012-2013)
Mentorship student, UP (2010)

AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS

Society for Marine Mammalogy Small Grants in Aid of Research: “Persistent organic pollutants extracted from pinniped keratinous tissues: Influence of physiology on measured pollutant concentrations” (2019) (PI)
World Marine Mammal Conference Travel Grant (2018)
Society for Marine Mammalogy Small Grants in Aid of Research: “A multidisciplinary approach to assess the intermittent breeding pattern observed in southern elephant seals at Marion Island in the Southern Ocean” (2018) (PI)
University of Pretoria Postgraduate Study Abroad Bursary Programme Award (2017)
National Research Foundation Local and International Travel Bursary Awards (2017)
World Marine Mammal Conference Travel Grant (2016).
Department of Science and Technology (DST)/ National Research Foundation (NRF), Innovation Doctoral Scholarship (2016-2020)
NRF-Grant holder bursary (2014-2016)
Academic honorary colors, UP (2012, 2015)
Postgraduate Study Abroad Bursary Programme Award (2014)
UP Student Mentorship Award (2010)

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

*invited talks

Lübcker N, Whiteman JP, de Bruyn PJN, Newsome SD. Virtual talk. Amino acid stable isotope values as tool to obtain physiological data of free-ranging marine predators. IsoEcol Conference (2021)

Lübcker N, de Bruyn PJN, Millar RP, Whiteman JP, Newsome SD. Amino acid nitrogen isotope values as new tool for identifying fasting events in free-ranging marine mammals. World Marine Mammal Conference, Barcelona, Spain (2019)

Lübcker N, de Bruyn PJN, Millar RP, Whiteman JP, Newsome SD. Presentation (20 minutes). Amino acid nitrogen isotope values as new tool for identifying fasting events in free-ranging marine mammals. Stable Isotope Workshop, World Marine Mammal Conference, Barcelona, Spain (2020)

Lübcker N*, de Bruyn PJN, RP Millar, Swart A, du Toit T, Bloem L, Newsome SD. Presentation. Monitoring steroid hormone secretion in elephant seal single whiskers. International Congress of Endocrinology (ICE-SEMDSA), South Africa (2018)

Lübcker N*, de Bruyn PJN, RP Millar, Whiteman JP, Swart A, Newsome SD. Presentation (45 minutes) Using stable isotopes to study marine mammal ecology: Are pregnant females “what they eat”? University of California, Santa Cruz (2018)

Lübcker N, de Bruyn PJN, Millar RP, Newsome SD, Whiteman JP. Presentation. Using stable isotopes to study marine mammal ecology: Are pregnant females “what they eat”? 5th African Marine Mammal Colloquium: “New frontiers in African marine mammalogy”, South Africa (2018)

TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP

Mentor for 13 student researchers (6 undergrad, 3 honors (post-graduates), 4 M.Sc.) (2014-2022)
Co-group leader and lecturer, Stable Isotope Biochemistry and Ecology Course (Isocamp), University of New Mexico (2021, 2022)
Guest lecturer, CRN 409/509: Elemental Ecology, University of New Mexico (2021)

OUTREACH AND SERVICE

Stable Isotope Workshop for High School Students with UNM Center for Stable Isotopes (2021)

Peer-Reviewed >30 Manuscripts. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Conservation Physiology, Ecology Letters, Ecosphere, Environmental Biology of Fishes, Mammal Review, Mammalian Biology, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology Progress Series, Marine Mammal Science, Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, Scientific Reports.
Verified Reviewer Profile is available at Publons

SKILLS

R Statistical Programming
ArcGIS
Graphical design programs (e.g., Abobe Illustrator)
Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS)
Liquid and Gas Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/GC)
Ultraperformance Convergence Chromatography (UPC2)
Picarro water analyzer
Gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS)
dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific™ 253 Plus)
In-line and offline vacuum lines
Wet chemistry
Project management experience