Overview
Sound propagates very efficiently through sea water, and marine mammals take advantage of this medium to communicate and explore their environment. My research is focused on the link between acoustic and motor behavior in marine mammals, primarily cetaceans and manatees, specifically, how they use sound in ecological processes. The cetaceans, or whales and dolphins, are divided into two main groups, the toothed whales (odontocetes) and the baleen whales (mysticetes). One of my specific areas of research is the use of echolocation and foraging behavior in one of the odontocetes, the bottlenose dolphin. Another focus of my current research is the effect(s) of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Randolph K. Repass and Sally-Christine Rodgers University Distinguished Professor of Conservation Technology in Environment and Engineering
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2018 - Present
Marine Science and Conservation,
Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Conservation
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2018 - Present
Marine Science and Conservation,
Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
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2018 - Present
Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Recent Publications
Short-finned pilot whales modulate surfacing and breathing patterns more strongly in response to dives than in anticipation.
Journal Article American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology · January 2026 Diving marine mammals must allocate time between respiring at the surface and foraging underwater. Previous studies of optimal diving theory have attempted to predict such patterns, but the amount of time divers must spend at the surface before and after d ... Full text CiteRecommendations for built marine infrastructure that supports natural habitats
Journal Article Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment · August 1, 2025 The extent of built marine infrastructure—from energy infrastructure and ports to artificial reefs and aquaculture—is increasing globally. The rise in built structure coverage is concurrent with losses and degradation of many natural habitats. Although his ... Full text CiteFROM WIND TO WHALES POTENTIAL HYDRODYNAMIC IMPACTS OF OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY ON NANTUCKET SHOALS REGIONAL ECOLOGY
Journal Article Oceanography · June 1, 2025 The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a committee in June 2023 to assess the potential hydrodynamic and ecological impacts from offshore wind energy development in the Nantucket Shoals region, with particular attention to imp ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Cuvier's beaked whale integrated ecosystem study: Systematic use of novel eDNA methodology to characterize and compare beaked whale populations and their associated prey community across regions
ResearchCo-Project Leader · Awarded by Kelp Marine Research · 2023 - 2027All Ears on Deck: Updated use of PAM to detect and localize North Atlantic Right Whales
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Syracuse University · 2025 - 2026Atlantic Behavioral Response Study III 2025 - Continuously Active Sonar
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by HDR, Inc. · 2023 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ·
1999
Ph.D.
Ohio Wesleyan University ·
1991
B.A.