Marine Mammal Ecology Lab
seals lounging on a log

Current Undergraduate Students

Maya in a field of tulips.

Maya Mijares

(2023-present) Movement patterns of harbor seals.

Maya will work with Isabel and graduate student Alexandrea Otto to examine the variation in mtDNA and nuclear DNA among harbor seal haul-out sites to infer movement patterns between males and females in the Salish Sea. In addition, Maya and Kameran will continue the long-term study on the foraging hevbaior of harbor seals on returning salmon at Whatcom Creek.

Isabel kayaking.

Isabel Shier

(2023-present) Movement patterns of harbor seals.

Isabel will work with Maya and graduate student Alexandrea Otto to examine the variation in mtDNA and nuclear DNA among harbor seal haul-out sites to infer movement patterns between males and females in the Salish Sea.

Jasper at a dock.

Jasper McCutcheon

(2023-present) Surface behavior of harbor seals relative to in-air noise.

Jasper will examine the influence of in-air noise on the surfacing behavior of harbor seals. In addition, Jasper will continue the long-term study on the haul-out behavior of harbor seals in relation to human development in downtown Bellingham, Washington State.

Haley at Glacier NP.

Haley Recob

(2024-present) Sex ratios of harbor seal haul-out sites.

Haley will work with Maren to examine potential factors that may explain the different sex ratios across harbor seal haul-out sites in the Salish Sea.

Maren at Western.

Maren Duffy

(2024-present) Sex ratios of harbor seal haul-out sites.

Maren will work with Haley to examine potential factors that may explain the different sex ratios across harbor seal haul-out sites in the Salish Sea.

Olivia in the forest.

Olivia Balaban

(2024-present) Foraging impact of female and male harbor seals.

Olivia will continue the work of former MSc student Jonathan Blubaught to determine the different impact that female and male harbor seals may have in the community.

Jack in the mountains.

Jack Mezzone

(2024-present) Foraging behavior of harbor seals around juvenile salmon.

Jack will continue the work of former undergraduate student Madison Gard to determine the foraging response of harbor seals to the release of hatchery juvenile salmon during the spring at Whatcom Creek, Bellingham, WA.