Present Position

Marine Project Manager & Cultural Coordinator
Department of Environmental Stewardship
San Juan County
EDUCATION
  • 2014: PhD, University of British Columbia, Department of Zoology, Canada
    Effects of seismic operations on bowhead whale behaviour: implications for distribution and abundance assessments.
  • 2003: MRes, University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, UK
    The effects of acoustic deterrent devices on harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and seals in the
    vicinity of fish farms in the Orkneys, Scotland.
  • 2002: BSc (Hons), University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, UK
    A study into the usage of an ecological reserve by killer whales (Orcinus orca) in British Columbia,
    Canada from 1995 to 2001.
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
Scientific writing for peer reviewed journals and technical reports; vantage point, aerial, and vessel survey design and implementation; data management; statistical analysis; field data collection (photo-id, vantage-point, line-transect, behavior observations); project management; grant writing; environmental permitting; workshop facilitation; science communication; public outreach; website design and development, teaching.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES
  • Advanced Tribal Liaison Certificate, Evergreen State College, Washington
  • 24hr HAZWOPER Emergency Response Certificate
CAREER HISTORY
  • 2024 - present: Cultural Coordinator, San Juan County
  • 2022 - present: Marine Project Manager, San Juan County
  • 2018 - 2022: Marine Program Coordinator, San Juan County
  • 2005 - present: Research scientist & Co PI, Northeast Pacific Minke Whale Project
  • 2016 - 2018: Post Doctoral Fellow Simon Fraser University
  • 2015 - 2018: Research Scientist SMRU Consulting
  • 2014 - 2017: Expert Witness for the Quileute Indian Tribe & Quinault Indian Nation
  • 2014: Wildlife Biologist, Stantec, Aerial survey technical lead
  • 2013: Marine Mammal Biologist, Smultea Environmental Sciences
  • 2008 – 2014: PhD Student, Department of Zoology, UBC
  • 2010 – 2012: Teaching Assistant, 2nd & 3rd year Introductory Ecology, UBC
  • 2008 – 2012: Wildlife Biologist & Protected Species Observer, LGL Ltd.
  • 2006 – 2008: Freelance Marine Mammal Observer
RELEVANT BOARDS, COMMITTEES & TASK FORCES
Boards & Committees
  • 2024-present: Board of Directors member The Whale Museum, Friday Harbor
  • 2023-present: Board of Directors member, Islands Oil Spill Association
  • 2021-present: Vice-Chair AFSCME Local 1849 Executive Board
  • 2008-2016: Marine Mammal Observer Association, Executive Committee
  • 2024: Washington Fish and Wildlife Orca Regulations Communications Advisory (ORCA) Group member
  • 2021-2022: Created and facilitated the eelgrass protection and initiative consortium (EPIC)
  • 2018-present: PSEMP Marine Mammal Working Group member
  • 2024-present: San Juan County Classification Committee member
  • 2019-present: Society for Marine Mammalogy Diversity and Inclusion Committee member
  • 2017–present: Women In Marine Mammal Science Initiative Co-Founder and group member
  • 2014-2017: Coastal Connection Vancouver, Organizing Committee
Task Forces
  • 2024-present: San Juan County Diversity and Equity Task Force
  • 2023-2024: Regional Response Team Northwest Area Committee: Whale Deterrence Task Force member
  • 2020-present: WDFW Commercial Wildlife Licensing Intergovernmental Panel member
  • 2018-2019: WA State Governor’s Orca Task Force Vessels Working Group member