I graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall, in Connecticut, and then traveled to the other side of the country for college. I earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Zoology and a second one in Fisheries from the University of Washington, Seattle. Next, I spent several years working as a “mercenary” research assistant. The projects investigated different aspects of dolphin, duck, seal, and lobster behavior. It seems that all of that experience paid off because I am now a member of Dr. Würsig’s lab group at Texas A&M University. My Master’s project examines dusky dolphin (
Lagenorhynchus obscurus) movement patterns near Kaikoura, New Zealand. Through systematic, shore-based, observations, I hope to learn more about what factors influence dusky habitat selection. I am particularly interested to better understand the connection between dolphin movement patterns and patterns in prey availability. This is a bit of a tricky question to answer in Kaikoura because here duskies feed at night when it is rather difficult to observe them. I am working with Dr. Kelly Benoit-Bird, of Oregon State University, and Peter Bradshaw, a Kaikoura fisherman, to investigate patterns of prey distribution. Hopefully this study will further our understanding of dusky dolphin habitat requirements.
