People

Dr. Nigella Hillgarth Research Scientist Nigella Hillgarth is an environmental advocate and photographer concerned with the impacts of climate change on ocean and coastal ecosystems. She combines her science background with photography to develop shows designed to engage and teach the public about environmental issues, especially climate change. Her work on Greenland ice and sea level rise has been shown […]

Pearl Wellington Senior Computer Specialist Pearl is the database architect for the Botswana predator dataset and works alongside Clay on the field entry systems, database, and technology for the Penguin Project’s dataset. With over 40 years of penguin data, the Center maintains one of the most complex databases existing in a wildlife ecology setting. Pearl’s role guarantees that we make

Aura Banda Cruz Galápagos ResearcherMy name is Aura and I have been living in the Galápagos Islands since 2005. My mother was born on the island of Floreana and I have always kept a special love for this unique place that my grandparents chose as home decades ago. I studied photography and I’m currently finishing a degree in Environmental Management.

Dr. Gordon H. Orians Professor Emeritus of Biology Born July 10, 1932, I received a BS in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in June 1954, and a PhD in Zoology from the University of California, Berkeley, in August 1960. Assistant, Associate and Full Professor of Zoology, University of Washington, 1960-1995. Director, Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Washington,

Katie Holt Graduate Student ORCID: 0000-0002-4384-2713 I graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. As an undergraduate I focused on marine invertebrate ecology. I assisted with projects working on larval dispersal of Olympia oysters in Fidalgo Bay, WA and disease ecology of the purple sea urchin on the Olympic Peninsula, WA. After I graduated

Sonia De Bary Argentina ResearcherI focused my research on nest quality and orientation both of which are important predictors of reproductive success. Penguin can raise chicks in the open or with little cover but the pairs that have shady nests in bushes or burrows have higher reproductive success. I have helped the project in a variety of capacities as a

Dr. Sue E. Moore Marine Mammal Commission ORCID: 0000-0002-3104-1740 Dr. Sue Moore is a research scientist and Affiliate Professor at the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels in the Biology Department of the University of Washington. She has over 40 years of research experience focused on the ecology, bioacoustics, and natural history of whales and dolphins, with most of her work directed

Dr. Ginger Rebstock Research Scientist ORCID: 0000-0003-2697-7058 I grew up on a beach in Texas, where I swam, sailed, fished, and observed marine animals every day, so it’s only natural that I ended up studying oceanography. I received a Ph.D. in biological oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 2001, where I was an EPA STAR (Science To Achieve Results)

Clay Gravelle Penguin Technologist Clay is a Penguin Technologist, participating in almost every project in the Center involving computers and other technology. His main role involves designing the database that houses the data from the devices that are used to collect information about penguins in the field, but he also manages projects and provides advice on the many technological innovations

Dr. Caroline Cappello Researcher Background I graduated from Brandeis University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and theater arts (though haven’t yet found a way to combine the two!). My focus on wildlife ecology and conservation as an undergraduate provided the opportunity to study large mammal ecology in Tanzania and Kenya. After graduating and before joining the Boersma Lab,