Harbor seals from the air: Aerial surveys allow us to estimate their number and occurrences.
Harbor seals in a creek: Some harbor seals sometimes visit creeks during salmon runs to feed.
Harbor seal resting: Harbor seals frequently haul-out on land
for many reasons, including to rest.
Harbor seal on logs: Harbor seals haul-out on many places, including rocky beaches and floating logs.
Harbor seal molting: Harbor seals molt their fur on a seasonal basis.
Transmitter on head: Transmitters allow us to recover data; they fall off when seals molt in autumn.
MARINE MAMMAL ECOLOGY LAB
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A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF OUR LAB
We are housed in the Department of Biology of Western Washington University. Our efforts are geared towards understanding the role of marine mammals in their environment and their interactions with humans. The majority of this research has been conducted on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Salish Sea. Through the Science Mathematics and Technology Education program of Western Washington University we are also attempting to improve the teaching of science at all educational levels.
Biology Research
In collaboration with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz and several former Western students and other scientists, we are examining the ecology of harbor seals and other marine mammals in Washington State, including tracking occurrence via environmental DNA and prey consumption bia DNA from scat, and determining the potential of North American river otters Lontra canadensis as biological controls of European green crab.
Through the work carried out by Western undergraduate students we are examining the interactions between harbor seals and humans in the Salish Sea by describing the variation in the numbers of seals hauled-out in downtown Bellingham throughout the waterfront development, the foraging behavior of seals at Whatcom Creek in downtown Bellingham, and the spatiotemporal trends in marine mammal strandings in San Juan County.
Science Education
Along with many and diverse colleagues, we attempt to improve STEM teacher preparation programs in the State of Washington, increase the recruitment of qualified and diverse STEM students into teaching and create an adaptive, research-based model for improving STEM teacher preparation through collaboration.
Students in Research
The Marine Mammal Ecology Lab relies on the active and continuous participation and conduction of students from Western Washington University.
Depending on their stage at which they are in their academic career, students are able to participate in some or all aspects of the scientific process.
Types of Research Students
- Graduate Students (MSc)
- Mentored Undergraduate Students
- Undergraduate Research Assistants
To learn more about what these students do and to become a member of our and participate in research please visit the To Become A Student page.
If you want to get a better idea of the student experience, please visit the research Blogs.