Management Project
Resume:
College
of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME, 04609
*****@***.***
Webpage:
http://www.coa.edu/stodd/
Present EmploymentFaculty member (professor) at College of the Atlantic,
Bar Harbor, Maine (USA), teaching biology, sensory ecology,
oceanography, quantitative science, statistics and marine mammal
science classes.
Senior Researcher and Faculty Advisor, Allied Whale&emdash;a
marine mammal research facility at College of the Atlantic,
performing dedicated research on local cetacean and pinniped
species, and part of the NMFS U.S. Northeast Region Marine Mammal
Stranding Network.
Adjunct faculty at University of Maine, Orono: Dept. of
Wildlife Ecology
Academic
QualificationsPh.D. (Biopsychology): thesis title "Dietary patterns of
humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Northwest
Atlantic; evidence from 13C and 15N stable isotopes", (1997),
supervised by Dr. Jon Lien at Memorial University of Newfoundland,
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
M.Sc. (Biopsychology): thesis title "The acoustics of fishing
gear; possible relationships to baleen whale entrapment", (1991),
supervised by Dr. Jon Lien at Memorial University of Newfoundland,
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
B.Sc. Joint Hons., graduated with Honours (Marine Biology and
Oceanography). University College of North Wales, Bangor, UK
Previous
employment2003: Naturalist/Zodiac Driver, Explorer Shipping
Corporation, onboard the M/S Explorer, visiting ports in South
America, Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula and the
Weddell Sea.
2002-present: Disentanglement consultant for States of Maine
and Rhode Island, providing training for the fishing industry and
state government employees for release of non-endangered
balaenopterids from fishing gear.
1995-1998: Part/full-time sessional teacher at Memorial
University (St. John's, NF) for Depts. of Biology and Psychology,
teaching graduate, honours and undergraduate level statistics
courses, and undergraduate Biology courses.
1988-95: Teaching/graduate assistant for Departments of Biology
and Psychology, Memorial University (St. John's, NF), teaching
behaviour and experimental design (statistics) courses.
1991: Senior Researcher, assessing effects of tourboat traffic
on marine mammal and seabird behaviour in Witless Bay
(Newfoundland, Canada). Duties included supervision of project,
coordination of volunteers, training, data collection and
statistical analysis (5-month contract).
1989: Research Assistant to Dr. Jon Lien, Whale Research Group,
Memorial University (St. John's, Newfoundland). 3 month
contract.
Current Research
Interests2002-present. Monitoring the health and status of
balaenopterid whales in the Gulf of Maine using stable isotopes
(Principal Investigator). A collaborative project that combines
sampling protocols from College of the Atlantic, Center for
Coastal Studies (MA) and the Whale Center of New England (MA) to
examine photo-identified balaenopterids in the Gulf of Maine
basin, using genetic and stable isotope assays.
2001-present: Scientific cruises to collect
photo-identification images of Antarctic-summering humpback
whales, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula.
2001-present: Bioacoustic modeling of marine-mammal
shipstrikes, principal investigator, recording and analyzing
vessel acoustic signatures and behavioral observation of marine
mammal species in close proximity to high-speed vessels. Phase II
completed.
1998-present: A 5 year ecological and population study of
balaenopterids in the Northern Gulf of Maine (principal
investigator), conducting photo-identification, biopsy, genetic
and stable isotope research of humpback and finback whales to
assess foraging ecology and behaviour in the northern Gulf of
Maine. Use of photo-identification catalogs to assess population
status (mark-recapture, etc.). Considerable small boat handling
experience.
1998-present: Field Station operations. Responsible for
maintenance and day-to-day running of research field site (Mount
Desert Rock) located 25 miles offshore on a remote light-station
island. Skills include staff (8+ researchers) and building
management in an isolated, extreme setting, with some small
engine, equipment and craft maintenance. Responsible for running
day-to-day research activities using 3 14' rigid-hulled inflatable
vessels.
1998-present: Co-Director of Marine Mammal Stranding Response
Program. Responsibilities include the organization of a coastal
network (in Maine) of volunteer respondents, case assessment,
management of animal handling and capture, animal release and
animal euthanasia/necropsy/autopsy as appropriate.
1998-present: Member of First Response Team, Whale
Disentanglement Program, Maine, USA, and member of the Large Whale
Disentanglement Network (coordinated by the Center for Coastal
Studies), trained to Level 3 (of four levels). Responsibilities
include marker buoy deployment, entanglement assessment and animal
release.
1998-present: Supervision of graduate and undergraduate honors
theses at College of the Atlantic, and University of Maine Orono;
currently advising two M.S, two M. Phil., and one Ph.D. candidate.
Past and present supervised topics include: Behavioral
interactions between harbor and gray seals; Prediction of
high-speed vessel ship-strikes on cetaceans; A
photo-identification catalogue of Northern Gulf of Maine humpback
whales; Seal predation on lobster; Isotopic heterogeneity in
marine mammal tissues; Sociological impacts of marine
mammal-fishing gear collisions; and Monitoring balaenopterid
movements in three dimensions using retrievable tags.
Other
Research/Experiences1995-present: Interpretation
guide/naturalist for whale tourboat companies.
1994-present: Isotopic analysis of whale
tissues (Collection of samples through YoNAH and other protocols.
Analysis of materials).
1992-1994: Years of the North Atlantic
Humpback (YoNAH). Participation in a 3-year census project of
humpback whales. Photo-id and biopsy of individuals. Use of global
positioning systems and LORAN. Considerable boat handling
experience in a variety of weather conditions in close proximity
to whales.
1992-93: Heart rate of cetaceans
(measurement of EKGs of humpback and blue whales, and harbour
porpoise - either entrapped or stranded).
1992: Senior researcher, responsible for
assessment of whale reaction to acoustic noise (participation and
write-up of impact study conducted for Hibernia Management
concerning effects of underwater explosions on humpback whales.
Recording and analysis of explosions, behavioural observation and
photo-id of individual whales, some oceanographic measures
also).
1990-1991: Participation in net alarm design
program, and investigation of cetacean reactions to alarms. Skills
include behavioural observation, theodolite position fixing,
experimental design, an understanding of net design, and working
with fishermen.
1989-1998: Whale Entrapment Release Program,
Newfoundland (participation in release program for whales that
become incidentally entrapped in fishing gear and nets. Experience
in boat handling and in working in direct contact with entrapped
animals. Also experienced in live/ice strandings). Experience in
working directly with fishermen.
1988-present: Education outreach
(participation in science presentations for elementary and
secondary schools, conservation groups and government departments,
including US Coastguard, US Parks Service, and the National Marine
Fisheries Service). Also includes presentations to national and
international media (TV, radio and film).
Professional
Activities1998-present. Member of various
examination committees for Ph.D. and M.Phil. degrees.
2000-present: Member of Scientific Advisory
Board, American Cetacean Society.
2001-present. Member of Marine
Mammal/Seabird working Advisory Committee to the Pilot Census of
Marine Life in the Gulf of Maine, sponsored by Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institute.
2002. Invited participant in the
Intersessional Working Group on Large Whale Entanglement,
International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee.
2002. Invited participant in the
International Boundary Preplanning Workshop, developing consensus
for international-based responses to environmental priorities for
oil spill protection.
2003. Appointed member, Scientific Board of
Advisees, Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI), Blue
Hill, Maine.
2003. Invited participant at the Large Whale
Disentanglement Workshop, sponsored by NMFS/NOAA, Boston MA, March
2003.
1996-present: Peer review examination of
books, manuscripts, abstracts, and research proposals
for:American Cetacean Society
Journal of Mammalogy
Journal of Marine Technology
Marine Mammal Science
McGraw Hill Publishers
National Marine Fisheries Service Health and Stranding
Program
Oceanic Engineering International
Routledge Press
Society for Marine Mammalogy
Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, US
Dept. of Defense
Funding awarded
For various research projects with Allied
Whale, and in cooperation with the Development Division at
COA:2003: Enhancing the marine mammal stranding response
program for downeast Maine. Prescott Health and Stranding Program,
$100,000.
2002: Monitoring the health and status of balaenopterid whales
in the Gulf of Maine using stable isotopes; Prescott Health and
Stranding Program, $63,500.
2002: Research program on Mount Desert Rock: Cestone Foundation
$10,000.
2001: Bioacoustic modeling of marine-mammal shipstrikes. Maren
Foundation. US$21,000.
2000: Mammal Stranding Network: Cestone Foundation $5,000.
2000: Research program on Mount Desert Rock: Davis Foundation
$10,000, Oracle Foundation $10,000.
1999: Field Station Improvement. The Cabot Trust, $25,000
1999: Mammal Stranding Network: Cestone Foundation $5,000,
Bernice Barbour Foundation $10,000, Eleanor Patterson-Baker
Foundation $25,000.
1999: Research program on Mount Desert Rock: Davis Foundation
$10,000, Homeland Foundation $24,500.
Awards held1985:Jones Morris Award for
Achievement (UCNW).
1987:Derbyshire Prize for Achievement
(UCNW).
1988:School of Graduate Studies
Fellowship, Memorial University (2 years tenure).
1988:Bulkeley Evans Scholarship for
Overseas Studies (2 years tenure).
1990:School of Graduate Studies
Bursary, Memorial University (4 months tenure).
1991:United Kingdom Commonwealth
Scholarship (5 years tenure).
1996:Nominated for Hoar Award, Best
Presentation at the 35th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of
Zoologists (received Honourary Mention).
1996:Nominated for Cas Lindsay Award,
Best EEE Presentation at the 35th Annual Meeting of the Canadian
Society of Zoologists (received Honourary Mention).
1998:Birks Medal (Graduate) for
Student Leadership, recognizing excellence in contributions to the
quality of student academic-life.
PublicationsFor a list of publications, including
.pdf files, go here
Current Course
Portfolio:
Introductory Biology 1
Introduction to Statistics and
Research Design
Fisheries and their
Management
Introductory Biology 2
Advanced Research and Statistical
Design
Sensory Ecology
Statistics for Biologists
Vertebrate Biology
Animal Communication
Marine Mammal Biology 1
Ontogeny and Phylogeny of
Behavior
Biological Oceanography
Marine Mammal Biology 2
Animal Behavior
Soundscape
Field Studies in Marine Mammal
Science
Evolutionary Ecology
A History of Opera
New courses being
developed:
Ecology and Literature of the Sea
For descriptions of courses currently offered
please refer to the College of the Atlantic Catalog, 1999-2000,
available from College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden Street, Bar Harbor,
ME, 04609, or visit http://www.coa.edu
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Research
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