RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research primarily focuses on aspects of the biology and ecology of Hawaiian odontocetes, assessing population structure, population size, movements, habitat use and behavior. I am also continuing long-term studies of both mammal-eating and fish-eating killer whales. From the mid-1980s through to the mid-1990s I undertook research on a number of species of marine mammals in British Columbia. Much of my research has been collaborative in nature.
I have also prepared reports on the status and management of a number of
species of marine mammals in Canada, under contract to the Committee
on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), including:
harbour porpoise, striped dolphins,
bottlenose dolphins,
Risso's dolphins,
Pacific white-sided dolphins,
short-finned pilot whales,
false killer whales,
northern right whale dolphins,
pygmy sperm whales,
dwarf sperm whales,
killer whales, humpback whales,
harbour seals and northern fur
seals (see publications).
Advice for prospective graduate students or people interested in a career studying marine mammals, click here
Member, Cetacean Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survival Commission, 2009-present.
Affiliate Faculty, Hawai‘i Pacific University, 2010-present.
Adjunct Faculty, Portland State University, 2006-present.
Affiliate Assistant Professor, University of Washington, 2005-present.
Member, Marine Mammal Advisory Committee, Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, 2005-present
Co-founder, Senior Editor -
"MARMAM", an
electronic mail discussion list focusing on marine
mammal research and conservation, 1993-present.
Post-doctoral fellow - Dalhousie University,
1996-2003.
Biologist - National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Beaufort, NC, USA, 2001-2003.
Member - Committee of Scientific Advisors,
Society for Marine Mammalogy, 1995-2001.
Biologist - Marine Mammal Research Group,
Victoria, B.C., 1987-2000.
Member - Cetacean Specialist Group, IUCN Species
Survival Commission, 1992-1998.
Coordinator/Co-coordinator - Stranded Whale &
Dolphin Program of B.C., 1987-1995. Established and coordinated a
monitoring program for marine mammal sightings, strandings and
incidental mortality. Undertook necropsies on stranded and
incidentally caught animals, coordinated collection and
distribution of tissues for external research projects, and curated
education and reference collection of marine mammal skeletons.
Ph.D., 1994, Behavioural Ecology Research Group,
Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University,
Burnaby, B.C. Thesis
title: Foraging behaviour and ecology of transient killer
whales (Orcinus orca).
B.Sc., Biology (Co-op), University of Victoria,
Victoria, B.C., 1987.
EDUCATION, AFFILIATIONS AND A FEW OTHER THINGS