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
·
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
·
2018 - Present
Pierre R. Lamond Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Recent Publications
Localized and temporary vessel traffic changes from offshore wind development on the US East Coast pose limited risk to large whales
Journal Article Endangered Species Research · May 7, 2026 The rapid expansion of offshore wind development along the east coast of the USA has raised concern over its potential effects on large whales, especially the Critically Endangered North Atlantic right whale. This study examine ... Full text CiteBehavioral context of male fin whale Balaenoptera physalus call production on a western North Atlantic summer foraging ground
Journal Article Endangered Species Research · April 23, 2026 Acoustic behavior of fin whales in the endangered western North Atlantic stock, outside of singing behavior, remains poorly understood. Over 2 summers, 29 suction cup multisensor acoustic biologging tags were deployed on fin wh ... Full text CiteUnderwater hearing sensitivity of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii).
Journal Article The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · February 2026 Anthropogenic noise may pose a threat to Kemp's ridley sea turtles in nearshore and offshore waters of the western North Atlantic and Gulf of America, where shipping and energy industries are widespread. Understanding hearing sensitivity is necessary for t ... 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ·
1999
Ph.D.
Ohio Wesleyan University ·
1991
B.A.