Research Interests:I've been at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center since 1995, where I head the Marine Turtle Genetics Program, and serve as Chair of the Genetics Task Force of the IUCN Sea Turtle Specialist Group. My research interests include the evolution, phylogeography, ecology and conservation biology of marine turtles. I use genetics and satellite telemetry as tools to study the life history, migration and habitat use of sea turtles. After receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Stirling University in Scotland, I emigrated to Suriname, where I began working with leatherback and green turtles. I have a Master’s degree in Ecology from San Diego State University, and a Ph.D in Zoology from Texas A&M University. Current projects: • Developing new genetic markers (microsatellites) for sea turtles • Molecular Ecology of leatherback, loggerhead, hawksbill and green turtles • Evaluating incidental take of sea turtles in Pacific fisheries • Migration, habitat use and dive behavior of leatherbacks, loggerheads and green turtles • Population biology and conservation of leatherback turtles. |