Marine Turtle Genetics Staff

Amanda Bowman
PRD Genetics Lab Manager
Phone: (858) 546-7054
Fax: (858) 546-7003
E-mail: Amanda.Bowman@noaa.gov

I began my career at the San Diego Zoo in the virology lab at the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES). From 2000-2003 I worked for a service biotechnology company focusing on clinical sample analysis and biodistribution studies using qPCR. I also managed the DNA sequencing lab in the Quality Control department for clinical plasmid production. I came to SWFSC in June of 2003 as a part-time contractor to manage the DNA sequencing lab. Currently, I am the lab manager for the marine mammal and turtle genetics programs.

Gabriela Serra-Valente
Collection Curator
Phone: (858) 546-5697
Fax: (858) 546-7003
E-mail: Gabriela.Serra-Valente@noaa.gov

I currently manage the Marine Mammal and Turtle Genetics Tissue Collection housed here at the Center under the Protected Resources Division. With over 120,000 tissue samples representing almost all cetacean, pinniped and marine turtles species, this collection is the largest of its kind in the world, and has become an invaluable resource for marine conservation research and fisheries management. My work mainly focuses on the maintenance of this collection to ensure long term sample integrity and preservation. Duties include sample inventory and curation, accessioning sample information into our database, managing the sample check-out/check-in tracking process within our genetics laboratory, and overseeing the maintenance of all of our freezers.

In the pursuit of a career in the marine sciences, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a focus on Marine Biology from Ohio University and shortly after I had the opportunity to engage in several projects as a volunteer at Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, and the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. Each one of these institutions has provided a truly unique experience that enriched my career with skills in valuable fields such as genetics, photo id, cetacean behavior and animal husbandry.

Louella Dolar
Laboratory Technician
Phone: (858) 546-5621
Fax: (858) 546-7003
E-mail: Louella.Dolar@noaa.gov

Louella has worked part time in the marine mammal genetics laboratory of the Protected Resources Division at Southwest Fisheries Science Center since 2008 doing DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing and other lab support activities. She also carries out field research and consulting in Southeast Asia on the ecology, natural history and population estimation of pelagic and coastal cetaceans and dugongs and on marine mammal-fishery interactions and grass-roots conservation programs. She serves as Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Environmental and Marine Sciences at Silliman University, Philippines.

Nicole Beaulieu
Research Biologist
Phone: (858) 334-2851
Fax: (858) 546-7003
E-mail: Nicky.Beaulieu@noaa.gov

I first came to SWFSC in 2006 as a volunteer in the genetics lab while I was obtaining my undergraduate degree in marine biology at Western Washington University. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with both sea turtles and marine mammals on a variety of projects, both in the lab and out in the field. These include acoustics on the ORCAWALE 2008 and HICEAS 2010 cruises, an observer for the annual gray whale migration survey, I’ve worked on green turtle ecology, aerial observing/photogrammetry surveys, Antarctic killer whale morphometrics, and pinniped diet analysis. More recently my projects have been on vertical bow photography of delphinus, responding to strandings (which is my favorite thing, I love performing necropsies!), and assisting with managing the marine mammal and sea turtle genetics tissue/DNA collection. I also enjoy helping with the Out Reach program for kids. My primary interest is in the health side of things and I plan on going back to school. But for now, I am working jointly with both the Genetics lab and the Cetacean Heath and Life History group while I learn as much as I can doing a little of everything here at the center!

Victoria Pease
Assistant Lab Manager
Phone: (858) 546-5664
Fax: (858) 546-7003
E-mail: Vicki.Pease@noaa.gov

I started at Fisheries as a volunteer in the genetics lab in April 2003. My work in the genetics lab have included a diversity of projects, ranging from of sea turtle stock assessments, to screening new genetic markers on various marine mammals. In addition, I have also participated in a range of different field work studies, including sea turtle beach surveys, counts of migrating gray whales, aerial photogrammetry of leatherback turtles, and acting as a visiting scientist aboard the 2007 STAR-LITE ETP cruise. Currently, my main responsibility is assisting with lab management, and I also continue to work on marine mammal genetics.