Nicolas Prinsloo

PhD student

I am a passionate animal photogrammetrist currently doing my PhD (2021-2023; funded by the NRF) for the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria.

My BSc Honours assessed the influence of trophic niche use on the rate of mass gain in under-yearling southern elephant seals (2016), while my MSc evaluated stripe pattern and niche variation in Cape mountain zebra (CMZ; 2017-2018; with distinction); both encompassing photogrammetric components. This instilled an interest in development, specifically for photogrammetry, and I published methods for quantifying geometric differences in CMZ stripe patterns (2021) and estimating bird flight height (2021).

My current research goals have been moulded by my experience as a research assistant for PhotoVolumetriX (2019-2020). Endeavours to commercialise photogrammetry (PG) on animals for self-sustaining application has highlighted challenges that need addressing to ease its broader and more efficient use. This will be done via virtual photogrammetry, machine learning, the novel motion capture to inform photogrammetry (MC-PG) approach, and geometric morphometrics.

Although much of my research is terrestrial, I will contribute to the MIMMP by virtually comparing underwater camera configurations to measure marine animals, and actually testing these same configurations for eventual non-intrusive application around Marion Island. Although initially applied to equids, the proposed machine learning models for automated measurement and the MC-PG approach could easily be trained for use on marine animals around Marion Island.

View my PhotoVolumetriX profile at https://www.photovolumetrix.com/about-us.html

View my publications at:

·         ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicolas-Prinsloo

·         Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=DAhxXT4AAAAJ