Past Undergraduate Students
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: Recent graduate.
Clayton, K. & McKeegan, K. 2022. Short-term effectiveness of Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology on the foraging success of individual harbor seals. Student Poster Presentation, Space Grant Poster Session and Challenge Day (online), University of Washington, Seattle.
Kyra Bankhead
2020-2022. Current: MSc student, Oregon State University.
Bankhead, K. 2022. The potential effect of anthropogenic noise on hauled-out numbers of harbor seals. 25th Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter (online), Vancouver, Canada.
Delaney Adams
2019-2020. Current: Fisheries Biologist, Lummi Nation.
Adams, D. 2020. Do harbor seals hunt cooperatively? Seminar Honors (online), Western Washington University, Bellingham.
Helen Krueger
2019-2020. After graduation: Naturalist, Hamer Environmental.
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.
Heimnbichner-Goebel, W. 2019. The effect of anthropogenic noise disturbance on day-time haul out patterns of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). 23rd Meeting of the Society for Marine Mammalogy NW Student Chapter, Seattle.
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. After graduation: Research Technician, New York University.
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.
Raven Benko
2016-2017. Current: MSc student, 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: Current: Equipment Manager, Smultea Sciences. (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. After graduation: Protected Species Observer, Northwest Environmental Consulting.
Woodrich, D. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 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: Research Technician, 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: Habitat Restoration Coordinator, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.
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: Environmental Education Coordinator, Duke University. (MSc from University of Minnesota Duluth.)
Teather, A., La Ferr, A. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, 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. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 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. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 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. & Acevedo, A. 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, NOAA Fisheries 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: Fisheries Biologist, Lummi Nation. (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: Puget Slound Corps Team Lead, Washington Department of Natural Resources.(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, & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 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.
Chris Vennum
2008-2009. Current: Current: PhD student, Colorado State University. (MSc from University of Nevada Reno.)
Vennum, C., Chomos, A., Hardee, S. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 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.
Sara Cendejas-Zarelli
2007-2009. Biologist, The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
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: Stranding Network Coordinator/Data Specialist, 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 Mathematics, 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.
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.
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. & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. 2004. Acorn barnacle (Balanus glandula) size in relation to presence of predators. Scholar's Week WWU Sigma-Xi Chapter, Western Washington University, Bellingham, USA.