EDUCATION
1995 Ph.D. in Biology,
1992 M.S. in Marine Sciences,
1987 B.S. in Applied Biology, Georgia
Institute of Technology
EMPLOYMENT
Professor,
Sonoma State University, 2008 – present.
Associate
Professor,
Assistant
Professor.
Assistant
Research Biologist.
Postdoctoral
Researcher.
Research
Assistant.
Teaching
Assistant.
Research Interests: Comparative Physiology of Vertebrates;
Physiological Ecology; Bioenergetics; Behavioral Ecology; Biology of Marine
Mammals.
Research Program: My research is focused on the physiological and
behavioral ecology of pinnipeds, seals and sea lions.
My approach is to integrate physiology and behavior with the aim of addressing
ecological theory. I am investigating physiological factors that impact the
reproductive and foraging strategies used by marine predators. Much of my
current research is focused on the physiology and behavior of northern elephant
seals. These investigations include both field and laboratory studies. My field
research focuses on studies of fasting physiology and reproduction when seals
are hauled out on land to breed and diving physiology and foraging when animals
are at sea. My graduate students are exploring a wide variety of research
areas including fasting physiology, foraging behavior and life history
strategies. My lab has a strong collaborative relationship with the
Female northern elephant seal with satellite
tracking tag and time-depth recorder attached.
Australian sea lion with satellite tracking and
diving instruments attached.
Tracks of male (red) and female (yellow)
northern elephant seals on their biannual foraging migrations.
Four months of diving behavior from a crabeater
seal in the Antarctic.
Recent Work
My recent work has focused on the metabolic
physiology associated with fasting adaptation. I am currently principle
investigator of a NSF sponsored study with Dr. D.S. Houser looking at the
biochemistry of lactating while fasting in northern elephant seals. These
studies examine the biochemical strategies that seals used to make energy rich
milk despite fasting completely from food and water. These studies also include
investigations of hormonal regulation of metabolism, renal function and
reproduction in fasting seals.
I am currently co-principal investigator of
NSF and NURP sponsored studies with Dr. D.P. Costa examining the foraging
strategies of southern elephant seals and crabeater seals in the Antarctic and
their relationship to oceanographic features of the Southern Ocean. These
studies are also providing animal-acquired oceanographic data in areas for
which satellite and ship-based technologies are limited.
I am currently an investigator on the TOPP
(Tagging of Pacific Pelagics) Project working with Dr. D.P. Costa and Dr. B.A.
Block and many others. This project has the goal of simultaneously deploying
thousands of tracking, behavior, and oceanographic instruments on 21 species
of Pacific organisms.