e-mail: orbachd(at)tamug.edu
I am broadly interested in the social interactions, communication, decision-making processes, and behavioural ecology of echolocating mammals.My dissertation focuses on delphinid mating tactics, with a particular emphasis on female choice. I conduct vessel-based group focal follows of dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) mating subgroups off Kaikoura, New Zealand, and examine the relationship between body positioning and successful intromission. I also characterize the gross morphology and microanatomy of dolphin pseudocervices to test the possibility of sexual selection by cryptic female choice. I am open to collaborations with researchers possessing diverse field expertise and perspectives.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, USA, 2010—present
Advisor: Dr. Bernd Würsig
M.S. Biology, University of Western Ontario, Canada, 2009
Thesis: The effects of visual cues on the collisions of free-flying Myotis lucifugus with obstacles.
Advisor: Dr. M. Brock Fenton
B.S. Biology, University of British Columbia, Canada, 2006
B.A. Classic, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies, University of British Columbia, Canada, 2006
PRIMARY RESEARCH INTEREST
Behavioral ecology of echolocating mammals
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Texas A&M University at Galveston, Graduate Researcher, New Zealand & USA
- Behavioral ecology of dolphins (advisor: Bernd Würsig):
* Pre-copulatory mating tactics of female dusky dolphins (NZ), 2011
* Functions of the pseudocervix in cryptic female choice (USA), 2011
Movement patterns of dusky dolphins relative to aquaculture (NZ), 2011
Distributions patterns of bottlenose dolphins in the Galveston ship channel (USA), 2010-2011
Curry & Kerlinger, LLC, Field Technician, USA
- Bat and bird fatality surveys near wind turbines, 2010
Bat Conservation and Management, Inc., Field Technician, USA
- Bat distribution and abundance surveys, 2009
University of Western Ontario, Graduate Researcher, Canada, Israel, & Belize
- Behavioral ecology of bats (advisor: Brock Fenton):
* Sensory modality integration and obstacle avoidance by little brown bats (Canada), 2007-2009
* Effects of alcohol consumption on frugivorous bats (Israel & Belize), 2008-2009
* Behavioral responses of little brown bats to distress calls (Canada), 2009
* Flight and acoustic responses of Kuhl's pipistrelles to owl predators (Israel), 2008
* indicates Principal Investigator
ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching assistant, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Department of Marine Biology, 2011
Biology of Marine Mammals Laboratories: Taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, acoustics, photo identification, telemetry, and theodolite tracking of marine mammals
Teaching assistant, University of Western Ontario, Department of Biology, 2007 – 2009
General Biology Laboratories and Tutorials: Genetics, cell biology, ecology and evolution, bioenergetics, and plant/animal physiology
Workshop assistant, University of Western Ontario, Department of Biology, 2008, 2009
Bat monitoring and acoustic surveying techniques (provided to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
Marine Technology Society, 2011 — $2,000
Texas A&M University at Galveston (5: MARB Development, MARB mini grant, SeaSpace Inc., Mooney travel, GGSA travel), 2010-2012 — $24,240
University of Western Ontario (3: Prasanna Mohan, Graduate Thesis Research, Michelle Sweeny), 2007-2009 — $1,900
University of Sydney, Max and Sasha Freilich Scholarship, 2005 — $3,000
University of British Columbia (3: Undergraduate Scholar, Hugh M. Brock Education Abroad, Jewish Women International of BC), 2004 — $4,800
Canada In-Course Millennium Excellence Award, 2004 — $4,000
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Orbach, D.N. and Fenton, M.B. (2010) Vision impairs the abilities of bats to avoid colliding with stationary obstacles. PLoS ONE 5(11): e13912. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013912 [National Geographic]. [article]
Orbach, D.N., Veselka, N., Dzal, Y., Lazure, L., and Fenton, M.B. (2010) Drinking and flying: Does alcohol consumption affect the flight and echolocation performance of phyllostomid bats? PLoS ONE 5(2): e8993. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0008993 [National Geographic, CBC Quirks and Quarks, PHYSORG]. [article]
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND MENTORSHIP
Supervisor for four undergraduate and one graduate field assistants (University of Western Ontario and Texas A&M University at Galveston), 2008- present
Mentor/ project manager for seven undergraduate interns, Marine Mammal Research Program (Texas A&M University at Galveston), 2010 – present
Grant reviewer, Society for Marine Mammalogy Gulf Coast Student Chapter, 2010 – present
Founder/Organizer of monthly Marine Mammal Meetings (Texas A&M University at Galveston), 2011- present
Dolphin necropsy volunteer, Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, 2011 -present
Department representative for Diversity Steering Committee, Graduate Student Association (Texas A&M University at Galveston), 2011- present
Science fair judge, Weiss Middle School, 2011
Facilitator of interactive science lessons for children from inner-city schools, Girls Only Science Club (Texas A&M University at Galveston), 2010 – 2011
Penguin husbandry volunteer, Moody Gardens Aquarium, 2010 – 2011
Department representative for Discrimination Appeals Board, Graduate Student Association (Texas A&M University at Galveston), 2010 – 2011
Project supervisor for two international undergraduate field courses (Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Texas A&M University at Galveston), 2008, 2011
Swim instructor for children with learning disabilities, Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Center, 2009
Swim instructor for children and special need adults, Chelsey Park Community Centre and London Blind Swim Program, 2007 - 2009
Social chair, Society of Biology Graduate Students (University of Western Ontario), 2007 – 2009
Facilitator of interactive biology activities for primary school students, Let’s Talk Science, 2008 - 2009
Biology steward, Graduate Teaching Assistant’s Union (University of Western Ontario), 2008 – 2009
Public speaker/Bat educator for various Ontario community groups, 2008 – 2009
Facilitator for seminars on how to manage time effectively, improve public speaking skills, and become exceptional community leaders, Leadership Education program (University of Western Ontario), 2008 - 2009
INVITED LECTURES AND SYMPOSIA
Undergraduate Classes (Marine Mammals, Scientific Methods), Graduate (Seminar in Marine Biology, Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals of New Zealand), Texas A&M University at Galveston, 2010-2011
FIRST AUTHORED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Society for Marine Mammalogy’s Gulf Coast Student Research Symposium, Hattiesburg, MS, 2011
Texas A&M University’s 1st Annual Graduate Program in Marine Biology Science Symposium, Galveston, TX, 2010
Texas A&M University’s 8th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium, Canyon, TX, 2010
Society for Marine Mammalogy’s Gulf Coast Student Research Symposium, Galveston, TX, 2010
University of Western Ontario’s 6th Annual Earth Day Colloquium, London, ON, 2009
University of Western Ontario’s 22nd Annual Western Research Forum, London, ON, 2009
The 38th Annual North American Symposium on Bat Research, Scranton, PA, 2009
Ontario Ecology & Ethology Colloquium, Guelph, ON, 2008
University of Western Ontario’s 21st Annual Western Research Forum, London, ON, 2008
RESEARCH FEATURED IN POPULAR MEDIA
“Drunken Bats”, CBC Quirks and Quarks. Nov 20th, 2010.
“Flying Under the Influence”, Bat Conservation International. Fall 2010. Pp 12-13.
You can also check out a radio interview at:
http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/media/2010-2011/qq-2010-11-20_05.mp3 |
