Click here to download my CV.
Current Research Projects
I am currently involved in two projects through the Sound Science Research Collective. For more information about these projects, please feel free to contact me directly.
- Investigating call function in Southeast Alaskan humpback whales
- Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global underwater acoustic habitats
Previous Research Projects
Effects of Vessel Noise on Harbor Seal Vocal and Spatial Behavior During the Breeding Season
The impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals have been a major research focus for many years. However, very little attention has been given to the potential for ocean noise to disrupt pinniped mating behavior. Approximately 45% of all pinnipeds, and 80% of true seals, mate underwater and are therefore exposed to ocean noise during this critical time. Harbor seals are a widely distributed pinniped species that breed underwater. During the breeding season, males establish underwater territories and use vocalizations to defend these areas against intruder males and possibly to attract females. I will be using passive acoustic monitoring to examine the vocal and spatial behavior of harbor seal males in a population located in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska to determine if anthropogenic noise sources, such as vessels, affect behavior during the breeding season. Changes in behavior due to increased underwater noise have the potential to disrupt the breeding season and decrease individual fitness by altering the ability of males to hold underwater territories or attract females.
More information: Pictures and Blog Post about the recent hydrophone deployment.
The impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals have been a major research focus for many years. However, very little attention has been given to the potential for ocean noise to disrupt pinniped mating behavior. Approximately 45% of all pinnipeds, and 80% of true seals, mate underwater and are therefore exposed to ocean noise during this critical time. Harbor seals are a widely distributed pinniped species that breed underwater. During the breeding season, males establish underwater territories and use vocalizations to defend these areas against intruder males and possibly to attract females. I will be using passive acoustic monitoring to examine the vocal and spatial behavior of harbor seal males in a population located in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska to determine if anthropogenic noise sources, such as vessels, affect behavior during the breeding season. Changes in behavior due to increased underwater noise have the potential to disrupt the breeding season and decrease individual fitness by altering the ability of males to hold underwater territories or attract females.
More information: Pictures and Blog Post about the recent hydrophone deployment.
Female Preference for Male Vocalizations in Harbor Seals
It's possible that the vocalizations produced by male harbor seals during the breeding season act as an attractant for females. This idea, however, has never been tested. I will be using a series of playbacks with captive female harbor seals at the Oregon Coast Aquarium to determine if there is an underlying preference for a certain type of male vocalization.
It's possible that the vocalizations produced by male harbor seals during the breeding season act as an attractant for females. This idea, however, has never been tested. I will be using a series of playbacks with captive female harbor seals at the Oregon Coast Aquarium to determine if there is an underlying preference for a certain type of male vocalization.
National Ecological Observatory Network
The Parks Lab is incorporating acoustic monitoring into a major research initiative to conduct long term monitoring of ecological indicators throughout the United States. The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) will have more than 100 core and rotating sites at which suites of sensors collect a wide variety of environmental metrics. With the goal of monitoring biotic changes associated with climate change at undisturbed locations, we are collecting long term, high quality acoustic recordings at four NEON sites. Adding the acoustic recorders to this suite of environmental sensors permits monitoring of acoustically active animals and insects, and detecting changes in the species composition, phenology of acoustic signals, and effects of anthropogenic noise on biotic signals. Combining acoustic and environmental monitoring will document wildlife responses to climate change both within and between sites.
Click here for more information.
The Parks Lab is incorporating acoustic monitoring into a major research initiative to conduct long term monitoring of ecological indicators throughout the United States. The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) will have more than 100 core and rotating sites at which suites of sensors collect a wide variety of environmental metrics. With the goal of monitoring biotic changes associated with climate change at undisturbed locations, we are collecting long term, high quality acoustic recordings at four NEON sites. Adding the acoustic recorders to this suite of environmental sensors permits monitoring of acoustically active animals and insects, and detecting changes in the species composition, phenology of acoustic signals, and effects of anthropogenic noise on biotic signals. Combining acoustic and environmental monitoring will document wildlife responses to climate change both within and between sites.
Click here for more information.
Climate Change Impacts on the Calling Behavior of Orthoptera Species in Central New York
Global warming has already begun to impact our climate. Temperatures are increasing and the possible effect this might have on the calling behavior of insects has not been well documented. For our study, the Parks Lab is looking to see if temperature increases alter the frequency of calls in several Orthopterids (crickets and katydids). We are then interested in whether the calls of different species will overlap, causing the need to compete for acoustic space. This can be detrimental to a species that relies on sound to communicate.
Updates from the field: Parks Lab Insect Blog
Global warming has already begun to impact our climate. Temperatures are increasing and the possible effect this might have on the calling behavior of insects has not been well documented. For our study, the Parks Lab is looking to see if temperature increases alter the frequency of calls in several Orthopterids (crickets and katydids). We are then interested in whether the calls of different species will overlap, causing the need to compete for acoustic space. This can be detrimental to a species that relies on sound to communicate.
Updates from the field: Parks Lab Insect Blog
North Atlantic Right Whale Mother/Calf Study
Right whale mother-calf pairs are the victims of human caused mortality more often than other right whales, usually in the form of collisions with ships. One of the main objectives of this project is to determine why. In other words, what behavioral characteristics make them more susceptible? Another objective is to characterize the vocal behavior of mother-calf pairs to assess the effectiveness of passive acoustics for monitoring in three critical habitat areas: the southeastern United States, Cape Cod Bay, and the Bay of Fundy. Lastly, we want to assess the vocal development of calves and individual distinctiveness of vocalizations to aid in passive acoustic monitoring.
Updates from the field: Parks Lab Blog
Right whale mother-calf pairs are the victims of human caused mortality more often than other right whales, usually in the form of collisions with ships. One of the main objectives of this project is to determine why. In other words, what behavioral characteristics make them more susceptible? Another objective is to characterize the vocal behavior of mother-calf pairs to assess the effectiveness of passive acoustics for monitoring in three critical habitat areas: the southeastern United States, Cape Cod Bay, and the Bay of Fundy. Lastly, we want to assess the vocal development of calves and individual distinctiveness of vocalizations to aid in passive acoustic monitoring.
Updates from the field: Parks Lab Blog
Behavioral Ecology of the Bolivian Grey Titi Monkey (September - December 2011)
For three months in the fall of 2011 (September – December), I assisted with an ongoing project focusing on the Bolivian grey titi monkey, Callicebus donacophilus. Behavioral data was collected for multiple titi families that reside in a confined ecological park near the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. I collected data for all behaviors, including vocalizations, foraging, aggression, and parental-offspring care, with an emphasis on feeding behaviors. Plant and fecal samples were also collected for further analysis on dietary content. See Photos for pictures of my titi monkey family.
Forensic Dendrochronology (Fall 2010)
In the fall semester of 2010, I assisted a Baylor professor, Dr. Joseph White, with his dendrochronology research. I examined tree slabs of various oak species (measuring sap-width, counting growth rings, checking for fire scars) and calculated growth efficiency. I then analyzed the data to determine whether or not forest sustainability could be increased with the introduction of localized fire.
Rodent Population and Diversity (Summer 2010)
In the summer of 2010, I did a small project on the rodent population near Flathead Lake, Montana. I was enrolled in a field ecology course at the Flathead Lake Biological Station (associated with the University of Montana) and was given the opportunity to perform an independent study. I designed and executed an experiment that compared the species diversity and abundance in two contrasting environments. In this experiment, I used transect lines and snap traps to survey the two habitats and observe the differences in rodent populations.
Hyperthermia and Human Retinal-Pigmented Epithelial Cells (Summer 2009)
In the summer of 2009, I worked in a cell culture laboratory. I was contracted with the United States Air Force, where I worked in conjunction with the Optical Radiation Branch at Brooks City Base in San Antonio, Texas. During the internship, I grew retinal-pigmented epithelial cells and studied their survival, with respect to heat shock treatments. I became proficient at cell culture and sterile techniques, and I was also exposed to methods in protein extraction and analysis.