Past Undergraduate Students

Jack Mezzone

2024. Current: recent graduate.

Gard, M. & Mezzone, J. 2024. Harbor seal response to the release of hatchery-raised Chinook salmon. 27th Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Seattle.

Olivia Balaban

2024. Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz. Current: recent graduate.

Balaban, O. 2024. Sex-specific trophic impacts of harbor seals in a Salish Sea ecosystem model. 27th Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Seattle.

Isabel Shier

2023-2024. Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz. Current: recent graduate.

Shier, I., Mijares, M. & Otto, A. 2024. Using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to describe the genetic population structure of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Washington State. 27th Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Seattle. Best poster presentation.

Maya Mijares

2023-2024. Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz. Current: Marine Science instructor, Catalina Island Marine Institute.

Mijares, M. 2024. One seal, two seal: using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to investigate the genetic population structure of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Washington State. Seminar Honors, WWU, Bellingham.

Jasper McCutcheon

2023-2024. Current: recent graduate.

McCutcheon, J. & Bankhead, K. 2024. The influence of in-air noise on the behavior of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) at the water’s surface. 27th Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Seattle.

Kameran Rodriguez

2023. Current: Recent graduate.

Social behavior of foraging harbor seals in Bellingham, WA.

Holland Conwell

2021-2023. Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz, Current: Lab Technician, University of California Santa Cruz.

Conwell, H. C., Lewis, Z. K., Thomas, A., Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. & Schwarz, D. 2024. Sex-specific diet differences in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) via spatial assortment. Ecology and Evolution 14: 11417.

Madison Gard

2022-2023. Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz, Current: MSc student, University of Washington.

Gard, M., Lewis, Z. K., Akmajian, A. M., Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. & Schwarz, D. 2024. Comparison of paired sex ratio estimates obtained from novel molecular assays and visual surveys in the sexually dimorphic Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). Conservation Genetics Resources 16: 227-235.

Brianna Hull

2023. Current: Port Sampling, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Foraging ecology of harbor seals in downtown Bellingham, WA.

Kate Clayton

2020-2022. Current: Biologist, Idaho Fish and Game.

McKeegan, K., Clayton, K., Williams, R., Ashe, E., Reiss, S., Mendez-Bye, A., Janik, V. M., Goetz, T., Zinkgraf, M. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2024. The effect of a startle-eliciting device on the foraging success of individual harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Scientific Reports 14: 3719.

MSc Kyra Bankhead

2020-2022. Current: PhD student, Oregon State University (MSc from Oregon State University).

Bankhead, K., Freeman, G., Heimbichner-Goebel, W. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2023. Effects of anthropogenic noise on haul-out numbers of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Canadian Journal of Zoology 101:720-728.

Delaney Adams

2019-2020. Fisheries Biologist II, Lummi Natural Resources Department.

Adams, D. 2020. Do harbor seals hunt cooperatively? Seminar Honors (online), Western Washington University, Bellingham.

Helen Krueger

2019-2020. Current: Associate Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Real Time Research, Inc.

Krueger, H. 2020. Investigating the microbial community associated with harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) haul-out sites in Whatcom Waterway, Bellingham, WA. Student Poster Presentation, Scholars’ Week (online), Western Washington University, Bellingham.

Madison McKay

2018-2019. Current: MSc student, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.

McKay, M. 2019. Effects of sport fishing on harbor seal hunting success. 23rd Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Seattle.

Wyatt Heimbichner-Goebel

2018-2019. Current: MSc student, Western Washington University.

Bankhead, K., Freeman, G., Heimbichner-Goebel, W. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2023. Effects of anthropogenic noise on haul-out numbers of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Canadian Journal of Zoology 101:720-728.

Alisa Aist

2017-2019. Current: Fishery Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Aist, A. 2019. Attitudes towards harbors seal presence in downtown Bellingham, WA. 23rd Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Seattle.

MacKenna Pezzi (Newmarch)

2017-2018. Current: MSc student Rochester Institute of Technology.

Newmarch, M. 2018. Feeding success of harbor seals in relation to hunting technique at Whatcom Creek. 22nd Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Newport.

MMA Raven Benko

2016-2017. Current: Science Communicator, Smithsonian Institute. (MMA from University of Washington.)

Benko, R. 2017. Long-term monitoring reveals evidence of habituation to construction disturbance at a harbor seal haul-out site in Bellingham, WA. 21st Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Vancouver, Canada.

MSc Rachel Wachtendonk

2016-2017. Current: Senior Analyst, Ocean Associates, Inc. (MSc from Universidade do Algarve).

Wachtendonk, R., Matthews, E. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2017. Are there rogue seals in Whatcom Creek? The potential impact of harbor seals on a local salmon hatchery. 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Halifax, Canada.

Daniel Woodrich

2015-2016. Current: Acoustic Analyst, The Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies.

Woodrich, D. 2016. Effects of environmental variables on harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) occurrence at a seasonal foraging site in Bellingham, Washington. Student Poster Presentation, Scholars Week, Western Washington University, Bellingham, USA. Outstanding Award.

Nicholas Wesen

2015. Current: Veterinary Student, Washington State University.

Seasonal variation of harbor seal occurrence in Bellingham.

Sara Spitzer

2014-2015. Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz. Current: Associate Scientist, TwinStrand Biosciences.

Schwarz, D., Spitzer, S., Thomas, A., Kohnert, C., Keates, T. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2018. Large-scale molecular diet analysis in a generalist marine mammal reveals male preference for prey of conservation concern. Ecology and Evolution 8:9889-9905.

Erin Matthews

2014-2015. Current: Fish Passage Coordinator 4, Washington Department of Transportation.

Freeman, G., Matthews, E., Stehr, E. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2022. Individual variability in foraging success of a marine predator informs predator management. Scientific Reports 12: 11184.

MSc Ashlyn Teather

2014-2015. Current: Volunteer Projects Assistant, NYC Department of Education.(MSc from University of Minnesota Duluth.)

Teather, A. & La Ferr, A. 2015. Long term effects of development on Phoca vitulina numbers in Bellingham, Washington. 19th Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Corvallis, USA.

RN Raquel Robayo-Krause

2013-2014. Current: Registered Nurse, Providence St Peter Hospital. (Nursing Degree from University of Washington.)

Robayo-Krause, R. & Matthews, E. 2014. Temporal variation in aggregative response of harbor seals and occurrence of rogue individuals relative to adult chum salmonid runs. 18th Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Bellingham, USA.

MEd Nathan Moore

2013-2014. Current: Graduate Research Fellow, University of Mississippi. (MEd from University of Mississippi).

Moore, N. 2014. Variation in numbers of harbor seals relative to human development. 18th Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Bellingham, USA.

Dr. Kelsey Moreno

2012-2013. Current: Assistant Professor of Psychology, Saint Xavier University. (PhD from University of Southern Mississippi.)

Moreno, K. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2016. The social structure of Golfo Dulce bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and the influence of behavioural state. Royal Society Open Science 3:160010. (big file)

Erika Winner

2012-2013. Current: MSc student, University of Minnesota Duluth.

Winner, E. & Stehr, E. 2013. Aggregative response of harbor seals to adult salmonid runs and the occurrence of 'rogue' individuals.  17th Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Seattle, USA.

Emily Mulnick

2012-2013. Current: Physician Assistant, Family Health Centers.

Seasonal variation of harbor seal occurrence in Bellingham.

Dr. Kelly Cates

2011-2012. Current: Fisheries Management Specialist, National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska. (PhD from University of Alaska Fairbanks.)

Cates, K. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2017. Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) tolerance to vessels under different levels of boat traffic. Aquatic Mammals 43:193-200.

MSc Bobbie Buzzell

2011-2012. Current: Grants Manager, Lummi Natural Resources Department. (MSc from Western Washington University.)

Buzzell, B., Lance, M. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2014. Spatial and temporal variation in river otter (Lontra canadensis) diet and predation on rockfish (Genus Sebastes) in the San Juan Islands, Washington. Aquatic Mammals 40:150-161. (big file)

MES Erin Stehr

2011-2012. Current: Marine Scientist, Virginia Institute of Marine Science. (MES from Evergreen State College.)

Freeman, G., Matthews, E., Stehr, E. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2022. Individual variability in foraging success of a marine predator informs predator management. Scientific Reports 12: 11184.

MSc Kelley van Hees (Andrews)

2009-2011. Current: Scientist, Exact Scientific Services, Inc. (MSc from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.)

Diet of river otters in the San Juan Islands.

Mandy Betz (Chomos)

2008-2009. After graduation: Marine Mammal Biologist, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.

Vennum, C., Chomos, A. & Hardee, S. 2009. Seasonal variation of harbor seal core home ranges in the Pacific Northwest. Scholar's Week WWU Sigma-Xi Chapter, Western Washington University, Bellingham, USA.

Dr. Christopher R. Vennum

2008-2009. Current: Postdoctoral Researcher, New Mexico State University. (PhD from Colorado State University.)

Vennum, C., Chomos, A., & Hardee, S. 2009. Seasonal variation of harbor seal core home ranges in the Pacific Northwest. Scholar's Week WWU Sigma-Xi Chapter, Western Washington University, Bellingham, USA.

MA Kevin Eyer

2008-2009. Current: Science Teacher, North Kitsap High School. (MA from Miami University.)

Outreach: Lesson plans teaching about harbor seal movements to elementary school children in Bellingham, WA.

MSc Sara Cendejas-Zarelli

2007-2009. Current: Biologist, The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. (MSc from Western Washington University.)

Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. & Cendejas-Zarelli, S. 2011. Nocturnal haul-out patterns of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) related to airborne noise levels in Bellingham, Washington, USA. Aquatic Mammals 37:167-174.

MIT Lauren Grant

2007-2008. After graduation: Masters in Teaching from Seattle University.

Diet of river otters in the San Juan Islands.

Jessica Farrer

2006-2008. Current: Research Director, The Whale Museum.

Farrer, J. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2010. Use of haul-out sites by harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Bellingham: implications for future development. Northwestern Naturalist 91:74-79.

Dr. Kenneth James Soda, Jr.

2007. Current: Assistant Professor of Math and Data Science, Quinnipiac University. (PhD from Florida State University.)

Alcid and cormorant foraging behavior in Burrows Channel, Anacortes, WA.

Dr. Jessie Perry (Patterson)

2006. Current: Physical Therapist, Valley Physical Therapy. (DPT from University of Montana.)

Patterson, J. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2008. Tidal influence on the haul-out behavior of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) at a site available at all tide levels. Northwestern Naturalist 89:17-23.

Dr. Sarah Myhre

2003-2006. Current: Program Director for Climate Advocay & Democracy Reform, Glasser Progress Foundation. (PhD from University of California Davis.)

Myhre, S. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2007. Recovery of sea urchin Diadema antillarum populations is correlated to increased coral and reduced macroalgal cover. Marine Ecology Progress Series 329:205-210.

MSc Amber Johnson

2004-2005. Current: Habitat Biologist, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. (MSc from Oregon State University.)

Johnson, A. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2007. Regulation compliance by vessels and disturbance of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) disturbance. Canadian Journal of Zoology 85:290-294.

MSc Alyssa Matthews

2003-2005. After graduation: MSc from University of Washington.

Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. & Matthews, A. 2005. Association patterns of bottlenose dolphins in Costa Rica: constant companions and casual acquaintances. 16th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, San Diego, USA.

Morghan Austin Hainline

2003-2004. After graduation: Office Manager, Bridgeport Behavioral Health.

Austin, M. 2004. Acorn barnacle (Balanus glandula) size in relation to presence of predators. Scholar's Week WWU Sigma-Xi Chapter, Western Washington University, Bellingham, USA.