Research
Gray whale ecology and body condition
My PhD dissertation research examines how gray whales may practice resilience in future climate scenarios. I use aerial photogrammetry to measure past and current body condition, stable isotopes to investigate foraging ecology, tag-based movement metrics to understand habitat suitability, and more!
My first chapter, currently in review, looks at extrinsic and intrinsic drivers of Eastern North Pacific (ENP) gray whale body condition over a forty-year period.
My second chapter uses stable isotope analysis to examine changes in heavy carbon and nitrogen in gray whale skin over time.
And my third chapter will use a species distribution model to determine habitat suitability on Arctic foraging grounds for ENP gray whales.