Job summary and/or description of your work/research:
I work as a marine scientist at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at UC Santa Barbara, leading our Whale Safe project that helps prevent whale-ship collisions. Some days I’m out on the water helping report whale sightings or maintaining our underwater hydrophone (an underwater microphone that picks up whale sounds). But most days I’m behind a computer, analyzing all the data we collect – acoustic recordings, whale observations collected by naturalists and researchers, and habitat models – to figure out where whales are each day and track large ships passing through the area. We use this data to alert ship captains that whales are nearby and encourage them to slow down, which helps reduce deadly collisions.
What do you enjoy most about your work/research:
I love how varied my work is and that I never know what each day will bring. Sometimes I’m out on the ocean, and other days I’m problem-solving and working with lots of different data and technology. My job is really rewarding because I get to collaborate with so many passionate, ocean-loving people who care deeply about marine conservation. There’s something special about working with others who share that same drive to protect our oceans.
Inspiration:
Growing up, I was really inspired by my piano teacher and local activist, Hilary Houser, who founded Heal the Ocean. Hilary is an incredible diver, photojournalist, author, and activist with such an infectious love for the ocean and adventurous spirit. She showed me how you can channel your passion for the ocean into real action.