Aussie STEM Stars: Gisela Kaplan - Bird and primate scientist

Aussie STEM Stars is an inspiring children's series that celebrates Australia's experts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Each book is written by an award-winning children's author and follows the real-life stories of some of Australia's top scientists and inventors, chosen on the basis of their pioneering work. Themes explored include childhood, school, family, and formative experiences, what inspired them to pursue their chosen path, how they persevered in the face of challenges, and what they have contributed to science all over the world.

Gisela Kaplan's story begins in post-World War II Germany. Despite incredible challenges as a child, she retained a profound curiosity, care and compassion for all living things. Her captivating, ground-breaking scientific research on Australian magpies, tawny frogmouths and other iconic bird species, as well as primates, make Prof. Kaplan a world-leading expert in animal behaviour, especially of Australian birds.

She is a leading voice in animal behaviour worldwide with a special expertise in birds. As well as caring for hundreds of birds in her back garden – from wedge-tailed eagles to tiny rosella chicks – her captivating scientific studies on Australian magpies, tawny frogmouths and other iconic species have uncovered incredible facts about their complicated lives that will delight and fascinate children and adults alike.

Professor Kaplan is on a mission to spread the word about how intelligent and surprising birds are, before time runs out for many of them.