Meet Our 2017 Erebus Bay Weddell Seal Population Study Team!

The 2017 Erebus Bay Weddell Seal Population Study
Principal Investigators and Field Research Team:

		Dr. Jay Rotella, Lead Principal Investigator Jay is a Professor in the Ecology Department at Montana State University and member of the MSU Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program. His work focuses on animal population ecology, modeling and estimation of population parameters, and effects of abiotic and biotic factors on population dynamics. Jay's research includes both basic and applied topics that span from management of wild populations to life-history evolution. Jay received his PhD in Wildlife Biology, University of Idaho, 1990. More on Jay.
		Dr. Robert Garrott, Co-Principal Investigator Bob is a Professor in the Ecology Department at Montana State University and member of the MSU Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program. His work focuses on the abiotic and biotic ecological processes that influence mammalian populations and communities, in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and contributing to basic science as well as applied wildlife management and conservation through collaborations with state and federal natural resource agencies. Bob received his PhD in Wildlife Conservation, University of Minnesota, 1990. More on Bob.
		Dr. Donald Siniff, Co-Principal Investigator Don is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior at the University of Minnesota where his work has centered on the population dynamics of large mammals. Don's research has focused on the population characteristics of three species of Antarctic seals, concentrating on a long-term program on Weddell seals with shorter term studies on the crabeater and leopard seals of the Antarctic. He has also studied sea otters in Alaska and California since 1975. Don received his PhD from the University of Minnesota, 1967. More on Don.
		Kaitlin Macdonald, Weddell seal research field team crew leader Kaitlin Macdonald is a current MSU MS student being advised by Jay Rotella and Robert Garrott and a project co-leader with Terrill for the field crew. She has worked on Montana State University research projects since 2012 and joined the Weddell seal project in 2014 and is now in her 4th year on the Weddell seal project. Kaitlin has also done field work with mountain ungulates and small mammals. She received her B.A. in Environmental Studies and her B.S. in Economics from Montana State University in 2010.
		Jesse DeVoe, Weddell seal research field team co-crew leader Jesse received his MS from MSU, and works as a researcher. He began working with the Weddell seal field research team on the Weddell seal project in 2010. His ecology work includes field data collection techniques and analyses, developing research projects, writing scientific papers, digital imaging and science communication. Jesse received his MS in Biological Sciences, Fish and Wildlife Management from MSU, 2009. Check out Jesse's Aspiring Ecologist blog.
		Alissa Anderson, Weddell seal research field team Alissa graduated with her bachelor’s from the University of Montana in 2012 and works seasonal wildlife field jobs in western Montana and central Idaho. She is most happy being in the mountains watching critters big and small going about their business. Aubrey Power, Weddell seal research field team Aubrey graduated from Montana State University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management. She has worked with various wildlife in Montana and Idaho including woodpeckers, hoary marmots, and bighorn sheep. Aubrey enjoys exploring alpine environments, backpacking, and mountain biking. When she’s not outdoors she pursues art and enjoys illustrating wildlife. She hopes to return to school for a Master’s degree in wildlife management pertaining to small mammal ecology. Check out Aubrey's Wandering Weddell blog.
		Shane Petch, Weddell seal research field team Shane recently completed his bachelor’s degree in wildlife management at Montana State University, and is looking forward to beginning his Master’s degree on the Weddell seal project this spring. Shane is originally from western Colorado and enjoys playing trumpet and exploring Montana’s wild places.
		Thomas Sutton, Weddell seal research field team Thomas graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management at Montana State University. He is interested in understanding how to conserve and manage wildlife populations in an ever-changing biosphere. Thomas is originally from east Tennessee, and enjoys biking, hiking, and anything else that gets him outside.
		Jeremy Schmidt, Weddell seal team author and multimedia book specialist Jeremy Schmidt is a renowned author, photographer, and multimedia book producer. He spent seven years living in Yellowstone, working as a winterkeeper, ranger, and photographer. He has written numerous books on the Rockies, Yellowstone, and more! Info on Jeremy's many publications here.
		Mary Lynn Price, Weddell seal project video and digital specialist Mary Lynn has been working with the Weddell seal project since 2010 as a public outreach and informal science education video and multimedia producer. Her digital production background includes short format videos for news and science organizations, educational institutions, film festivals, art galleries, and internet projects. She developed and maintains the Weddell Seal Science multimedia web portal, and produces short Weddell project videos for public outreach and informal science education. She has deployed to Antarctica 4 times to produce videos since 2008 when she first participated in an International Polar Year project producing short video portraits of woman working in Antarctica. Her recent work also includes 360 Virtual Reality production, and working with 4K stereoscopic 3D underwater footage for natural history cinematographers. More on Mary Lynn.