I am pursuing a PhD in Marine Science and Conservation in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University.  Before beginning my doctoral studies, I earned a MS in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and a BS in Zoology from the University of Florida.  My research interests include the ecology, behavior, and conservation of apex marine predators, such as marine mammals.  I am interested in understanding how oceanographic and environmental variability influence the distribution of mid-trophic level prey species, and ultimately how these factors influence the abundance, distribution, and movements of top predators.  For my dissertation research, I will document the effects of prey type, patch size, and density on the fine scale foraging behavior of large whales in both space and time.  I hope to gain insight into the role apex predators play in marine ecosystems so we can make informed decisions on how to best conserve and protect our marine resources.  My ultimate goal is to earn a position in academia or with a government agency where I can impact management and conservation strategies through my research and work closely with students to help educate and inspire future generations of marine biologists.

Publications

Burrows, J.A., Harvey, J.T., Newton, K.M., Croll, D.A., Benson, S.R. 2012. Marine mammal response to interannual variability in Monterey Bay, California. Marine Ecology Progress Series 461: 257-271.

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Ecology in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. In general, I am interested in using molecular approaches to study marine mammal health. My dissertation research focuses on genetic susceptibility of bottlenose dolphins to red tides in the Gulf of Mexico. Prior to beginning my studies at Duke, I completed a Masters in Zoology at Cambridge University, where I studied genetic variation in an immune system gene among grey seal breeding colonies in the UK.

Publications

Cammen, K., J.I. Hoffman, L.A. Knapp, J. Harwood & W. Amos. 2011. Geographic variation of the major histocompatibility complex in Eastern Atlantic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). Molecular Ecology, 20, 740-752.

Bossart, G., M. Peden-Adams, T. Romano, C. Rice, P. Fair, J. Goldstein, K. Cammen & J. Reif. 2008. Hematological, biochemical and immunological findings in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) with orogenital papillomas. Aquatic Mammals, 34, 166-177.

I am currently pursing a PhD in the Marine Science and Conservation program. For my dissertation research, I am interested in assessing and monitoring the population of Antillean manatees in the Dominican Republic, and developing a national recovery plan for the species. I work for the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (CIBIMA-UASD) as a scientific researcher, focusing on marine mammals and conservation planning. Prior to beginning the PhD program at Duke, I obtained my Masters degree in Ecological Marine Management from the Free University of Brussels and the University of Antwerp where I studied ecological and social aspects of beach cleaning in Belgium, and the effects of mechanical beach cleaning on benthic fauna.

Publications

Domínguez, H., V. Rivas, A. Mateo, & A. Voss. 2010. Plan de Conservación del Santuario de Mamíferos Marinos Estero Hondo. TNC/CIBIMA. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. 119p.

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Marine Science and Conservation in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. For my dissertation research, I am interested in the effectiveness of marine reserves for pelagic predators, such as sharks, tuna, and billfish. I am also working on a field research project investigating the abundance and habitat use of bull sharks in the Neuse River Estuary.

Prior to beginning my doctoral studies at Duke, my Master’s Degree research focused on the spatio-temporal variation in dwarf sperm whale habitat use and group size off of Abaco Island in the Bahamas. I also conducted research in the seagrass ecosystem of Shark Bay, Western Australia to study the non-lethal effects of tiger sharks on multiple prey species (dolphins, marine turtles, dugongs, stingrays, cormorants, sea snakes). Additionally, I carried out research in the Florida Everglades to study factors driving the distribution of bull sharks. I am currently analyzing data from a laboratory experiment to study the influence of diving behavior under the risk of predation.

Publications

Dunphy-Daly, M.M., M.R. Heithaus, A.J. Wirsing, J.S.F. Mardon & D.A. Burkholder. 2010. Predation risk influences the diving behavior of a marine mesopredator. Open Ecology Journal. 3:8-15.

Heithaus, M.R., B.K. Delius, A.J. Wirsing & M.M. Dunphy-Daly. 2010. Physical factors influencing the distribution of a top predator in a subtropical oligotrophic estuary, Limnology and Oceanography. 54(2):472-482.

Dunphy-Daly, M.M., M.R. Heithaus & D.E. Claridge. 2008. Temporal variation in dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) habitat use and group size off Great Abaco Island, Bahamas. Marine Mammal Science. 24:171-182.

Scheidler, L.C., M.M. Dunphy-Daly, B.J. White, D.R. Andrew, N.Z. Mans & M.C. Garvin. 2006. Survey of Ochlerotatus triseriatus (Diptera: Cilicidae) for LaCrosse encephalitis virus and West Nile virus in Lorain County Ohio. Journal of Medical Entomology. 43(3) (2006):589-593.

No one becomes a marine biologist for the money.  Typically, one either wants to make a difference in the world or work with really cool charismatic megafauna.  It turns out, however, that field work is not nearly as sexy as how the Discovery Channel makes it look, and trying to do the right thing for the right reasons in a dysfunctional environment often leads to severe agita (i.e., heartburn, indigestion, anxiety, or agitation).  Like many idealistic young people, I wanted to make a difference in the world, specifically in the field of marine biology.

I received my B.S. in Zoology from Duke back when big hair, shoulder pads, and Duran Duran were popular.  After a few years, when Pearl Jam and Seinfeld were all the rage, I earned my Master’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology.  My thesis focused on Florida manatee milk composition, growth rates, and suckling behavior.  I then worked as a government biologist (state and federal) for over a decade, and volunteered as an environmental grassroots organizer.  Most of my experiences lie in the field of marine mammal research and conservation and my career path has focused at the nexus between the science and policy of marine mammal protection in the U.S.  Now, I would like to further explore this marine science-policy interface by evaluating U.S. regulations designed to protect marine mammals from accidental capture or entanglement in fishing gear, called bycatch.

My doctoral dissertation will examine the effectiveness of a multi-stakeholder advisory group (called a Take Reduction Team) and the negotiated agreement created by this group (called a Take Reduction Plan) to protect marine mammals from fisheries bycatch.

Ultimately, I would like to assist government biologists and natural resource managers by working as a respected scientist who can effectively communicate with decision-makers, who feels equally comfortable in scientific meetings and briefings with legislators, and who can bridge the natural and social sciences seamlessly.  I hope to bring about change by holistically combining science, environmental policy, and politics.

Publications

Lewison, R. L., C. U. Soykan, T. Cox, H. Peckham, N. Pilcher, N. LeBoeuf, S. McDonald, J. Moore, C. Safina, L.B. Crowder. Accepted. Ingredients for addressing the challenges of fisheries bycatch.  Bulletin of Marine Science.

Wallace, B., R. Lewison, S. McDonald, et al. 2010. Global patterns of marine turtle bycatch.  Conservation Letters. 3(3):131-142.

Moore, J.E., T.M. Cox, R.L. Lewison, A.J. Read, R. Bjorkland, S.L. McDonald, L.B. Crowder, E. Aruna, I. Ayissi, P. Espeut, C. Joynson-Hicks, N. Pilcher, C. Poonian, B. Solarin & J. Kiszka. 2010. An interview-based approach for triaging marine mammal and sea turtle captures in artisanal fisheries. Biological Conservation. 143: 795-805.

Sorice, M.C., R.O. Flamm & S.L. McDonald. 2007. Factors influencing behavior in a boating speed zone. Coastal Management. 35:357–374.

McDonald, S.L. & R.O. Flamm. 2006. A regional assessment of Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and the Caloosahatchee River, Florida. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FWRI Technical Report TR-10, p.1-52.

Young, N.M. & S.L. Shapiro. 2001. United States federal legislation governing marine mammals in Dierauf, L. and Gulland, F., eds. 2001.  CRC handbook of marine mammal medicine, 2^nd edition. Boca Raton:  CRC Press.

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Ecology in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. My research interests are broadly focused on using passive acoustic monitoring techniques to study the acoustic communication and behavior of cetaceans. I am interested in applying these methods to better understand the distribution and abundance of cetacean species, particularly in areas critical for conservation and management.

I previously received a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of California Santa Cruz. Prior to beginning graduate studies at Duke, I worked with the Protected Species Branch at the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, MA. I was involved in several passive acoustic monitoring projects, primarily investigating the effects of anthropogenic ocean noise on marine mammal communication, as well as an independent project using acoustic localization methods to study the movement patterns of singing humpback whales. In addition, I participated on shipboard cetacean abundance surveys in both the Atlantic and Pacific, using a towed hydrophone array to collect real-time recordings of cetacean vocalizations, which can help inform visual abundance estimates.

My research interests include the foraging ecology, behavior, and movements of top predators as they relate to conservation and management. I’m interested in how environmental variability influences the behavior and movement patterns of these predators. My dissertation research will focus on the foraging ecology and movements of juvenile Hawaiian monk seals across their range. This study will be the first to compare movements and behavior between the Northwestern and Main Hawaiian Island regions. Our goal is to develop a better understanding of the mechanism(s) behind the diverging regional population trends observed for these areas. This project will be a collaborative effort between Duke and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Prior to starting my PhD at Duke I worked for both the Steller Sea Lion and Hawaiian Monk Seal programs at NOAA, and obtained a MS degree from Western Washington University. My Master’s degree research focused on the diving behavior of harbor seals in the San Juan Islands, WA. I looked at fine scale variations in dive behavior between haul-out sites and how these seals portioned their home ranges and core areas for foraging.

Publications

Wilson, K., L. Fritz, E. Kunisch, K. Chumbley & D. Johnson. 2011. Effects of research disturbance on the behavior and abundance of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) at two rookeries in Alaska. Marine Mammal Science. 27: no. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00485.x

I am currently a Masters student studying Coastal Environmental Management at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.  My project is the creation and development of The Nai’a Guide, a mobile app to serve as an ecological conscious for tourists seeking to responsibly experience Hawaiian spinner dolphins.  The app will provide educational information about the dolphins and make methods for conservation accessible to all.

Prior to my start at Duke, I received a BS in Biological Science from Florida State University.  I have worked as an Education Intern at Mote Marine Laboratory, an Imperiled Species Management Intern at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and a Research Intern at the Whale Center of New England.

I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to pursue what I think is most important:  protecting the oceans and their species and encouraging others to take steps in doing the same.  With new ideas, new tools, and new methods for peaceful coexistence with the animals that share our home, I hope to convey the urgency that is necessary to make a change.  A better understanding of the animals and the ecosystems is essential for companies and individuals to be able to make more informed decisions and better ensure healthy populations and a healthy environment into the future.

I am currently pursuing a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) with a concentration in Coastal Environmental Management (CEM) at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. I am interested in the integration of science and policy for effective marine mammal management, specifically conservation issues involving direct human impacts such as bycatch/fisheries interactions and unsustainable tourism practices. For my Masters Project I am working in coordination with the Dolphin SMART program, a voluntary recognition and education program sponsored by NOAA Fisheries, the National Marine Sanctuary Program, Dolphin Ecology Project, and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society that encourages responsible viewing of wild dolphins. The project will focus on determining motivations behind business involvement and customers’ attitudes toward the program in order to provide recommendations that can stimulate and maintain participation in Dolphin SMART. Prior to starting at Duke I graduated from Rhodes College with BS in biology and interned with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Project at Mote Marine Laboratory which helped foster my interest in the conservation of marine mammals.

I am a second year Masters student pursuing a degree in Environmental Management with a concentration in Coastal Environmental Management. For my master’s project I am working with advisors Dr. Jennifer Swenson and Dr. Krithi Karanth and teammates Liza Norment and Paul Gerlach. We are using remote sensing techniques to track and analyze landcover change around protected areas in the Western Ghats, India. Our work will aid future managers in protecting tigers and other large carnivores and their prey.

Prior to attending Duke, I received a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Arizona, Tucson. At the U of A I taught biology labs and worked in species abundance distribution and environmental bacteriology.

I am currently pursuing a Master of Environmental Management with a concentration in Coastal Environmental Management at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.  My primary interests are endangered species policy and protection, focusing on issues such as marine mammal and sea turtle stranding and fisheries by-catch.  My Master’s Project involves the geospatial mapping and analysis of marine mammal strandings in Connecticut and Rhode Island, to provide stranding trend data to Mystic Aquarium, as well as maps that can be used in visitor education.

I graduated from Ithaca College in 2008 with my BS in Biology.  Before starting my Masters, I spent 2 1/2 years at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut – first as a marine mammal stranding intern, and then full time in fish and invertebrate husbandry, taking care of sharks, stingrays and sea turtles.  I spent this past summer at the Marine Mammal Center in California, coordinating stranding rescues.

Publications

Bilateral Ocular Abnormalities in a Wild Stranded Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica) Suggestive of Anterior Segment Dysgenesis and Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous. C. Erlacher, C.M.H. Colitz, K. Abrams, A. Smith, and A.D. Tuttle; Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 42(2): 300–303

I am currently a junior at Duke University, majoring in Environmental Science and Marine Conservation. I am from Northern Minnesota (the land of 10,000 lakes) and thus grew up around water. I have always been interested in aquatic ecosystems, especially ocean ecosystems, and have always been fascinated in cetacean behavior. My independent research project will focus on the ecology of of pelagic cetaceans off of Cape Hatteras.