Past MSc Students

eco Master's thesis

Kathleen McKeegan

2020-2022. Current: Biologist, Skagit River System Cooperative.

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.

eco McKeegan, K. A. 2022. The effect of Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology on the foraging success of individual harbor seals MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Zoë Lewis

2020-2022. Current: Fisheries Biologist, Lummi Nation.

Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A., Lewis, Z. K., Scordino, J. J., Allyn, E. M., Lance, M. M., Brown, S., Schwarz, D. & Akmajian, A. M. 2023. First diet description of the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) in the northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington State. Northwestern Naturalist 104: 253-263.

eco Lewis, Z. K. 2022. Foraging ecology of sexually-dimorphic marine generalist predators: describing Steller sea lion diet along the northern Washington coast. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Grace Freeman

2019-2021. Current: Senior Data Analyst, Education Analytics.

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.

eco Freeman, G. 2021. Individual variability in foraging success of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) preying on Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) informs predator management. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Bobbie Buzzell

2019-2021. Current: Grants Manager, Lummi Natural Resources Department.

Buzzell, B., Akmajian, A. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2023. Exploring the biotic resistance of the invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas) by examining the diet of North American river otters (Lontra canadensis). Fishery Bulletin 121: 30-35.

eco Buzzell, B. 2021. Holistic approaches for invasive species management: Exploring biotic resistance of European green crab (Carcinus maenas) via river otter (Lontra canadensis) diet. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Nathaniel Guilford

2018-2020. Current: Remote Tech Support, Complete Genomics.

Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz.
eco Guilford, N. 2020. A non-invasive technique for tracking a marine predator (Phoca vitulina) through molecular scat analysis. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Jonathan Blubaugh

2018-2020. After graduation: Statistician, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz.
eco Blubaugh, J. 2020. The impacts of sex-specific diets of a marine predator on ecosystem models. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Madelyn Voelker

2016-2018. Current: Science Teacher, Chief Kitsap Academy.

Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz.

Nelson, B. W., Pearson, S. F., Anderson, J. H., Jeffries, S., Thomas, A. C., Walker, W. A., Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A., Kemp, I. M., Lance, M. M., Louden, A., & Voelker, M. R.2021. Variation in predator diet and prey size affects perceived impacts to salmon species of high conservation concern. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78: 1661-1676.

Voelker, M. R., Schwarz, D., Thomas, A., Nelson, B. W. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2020. Large-scale molecular barcoding of prey DNA reveals predictors of intrapopulation feeding diversity in a marine predator Ecology and Evolution 10:9867-9885.

eco Voelker, M. 2018. Cross-sectional scat sampling reveals intrapopulation feeding diversity in a marine predator. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Adrianne Akmajian

2014-2016. Current: Marine Ecologist, Makah Tribe.

Akmajian, A. M., Scordino, J. J. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2017. Year-round algal toxin exposure in free-ranging sea lions. Marine Ecology Progress Series 583:243-258.

eco Akmajian, A. M. 2016. Year-round algal toxin exposure in free-ranging sea lions: implications of trophic exposure for declining populations. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.(big file)

Kat Nikolich

2013-2015. Current: Teacher, Valleyview Centennial School, Canada.

Nikolich, K., Frouin-Moury, H. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2018. Clear diel patterns in breeding calls of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) at Hornby Island, British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 96:1236-1243.

Nikolich, K., Frouin-Moury, H. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2016. Quantitative classification of harbor seal breeding calls in Georgia Strait, Canada. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 140:1300-1308.

eco Nikolich, K. A. 2015. The vocal breeding behaviour of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in Georgia Strait, Canada: temporal patterns and vocal repertoire. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.(big file)

Dr. Erin D'Agnese

2012-2015. Current: Owner, Wild Ecohealth LLC. (PhD from University of California Davis.)

eco D'Agnese, E. M. 2015. The effect of maternal traits on rearing success in Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsii). MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Dr. Andrew Rothstein

2012-2015. Current: Current: Computational Biologist, Concentric by Gingko Bioworks. (PhD from University of California Berkeley.).

Co-advised with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz.
Rothstein, A. P., McLaughlin, R., Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. & Schwarz, D. 2017. WISEPAIR: a computer program for individual matching in genetic tracking studies. Molecular Ecology Resources 17:267-277.

eco Rothstein, A. P. 2015. Non-invasive genetic tracking of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA. (big file)

Jennifer Olson

2011-2013. Current: Oceanography Faculty, Ocean Research College Academy.

Olson, J. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2017. Influence of human exposure on the anti-predatory response of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Aquatic Mammals 43:673-681.

eco Olson, J. K. 2013. The effect of human exposure on the anti-predatory response of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Sasha Ertl (McFarland)

2007-2013. Current: Biologist, Grette Associates.

eco McFarland, A. S. 2013. Influence of sex and body mass on harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) diving behavior. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Dr. Austen Thomas

2008-2010. Current: Research Scientist, Smith-Root. (PhD from University of British Columbia.)

Thomas, A. C., Lance, M. M., Jeffries, S. J., Miner, B. G. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2011. Harbor seal foraging response to seasonal resource pulse. spawning Pacific herring. Marine Ecology Progress Series 441:225-239.

eco Thomas, A. 2010. The behavioral response of harbor seals to seasonal prey pulses of spawning Pacific herring. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA. (big file)

Sarah M. Howard

2007-2009. Current: Biologist, National Park Service.

Howard, S. M. S., Lance, M. M., Jeffries, S. J. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2013. Fish consumption by harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the San Juan Islands, Washington. Fishery Bulletin 111:27-41.

eco Howard, S. 2009. Seasonal energy budgets to model energy use and prey consumption in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the San Juan Islands, WA. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Katie Luxa

2004-2008. Current: Biologist, National Marine Mammal Laboratory.

Luxa, K. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2013. Food habits of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in two estuaries in the central Salish Sea. Aquatic Mammals 39:10-22. (big file)

eco Luxa, K. 2008. Food habits of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in two estuaries in northern Puget Sound,Washington. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA. (big file)

Dr. Sarah Peterson (Hardee)

2006-2008. Current: Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey. (PhD from University of California Santa Cruz.)

Peterson, S. H., Lance, M. M., Jeffries, S. J. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2012. Long distance movements and disjunct spatial use of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest. PLoS ONE 7:e39046.

eco Hardee, S. 2008. Movements and home ranges of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA. (big file)

Dr. Kenady Wilson (Reuland)

2006-2008. Current: Research Scientist, Wildlife Computers. (PhD from Duke University.)

Wilson, K., Lance, M., Jeffries, S. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2014. Fine-scale variability in harbor seal foraging behavior. PLoS ONE 9:e92838.

eco Reuland, K. 2008. Seasonal variation in the foraging behavior of harbor seals in the Georgia Basin: implications for marine reserves. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.

Adria Banks

2003-2007. Current: Quantitative Analyst, Ecotope.

eco Banks, A. 2007. Harbor seal abundance and habitat use relative to candidate marine reserves in Skagit Co., WA. MSc thesis, Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA.