I have been a member of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) since 2007, when I attended my first Biennial Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. After earning my MSc (2004) and PhD (2010) from Université de La Rochelle in France, I completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) in France and at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami—a city I have called home since 2012.
My research centers on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of marine mammals, though I have also studied sharks and sea turtles worldwide, particularly during my postdoctoral years. I am currently an Associate Professor of Biology at FIU, where I lead the Marine Mammal Ecology Laboratory. My work focuses on the spatial and trophic ecology of marine mammals, their ecological roles and importance within marine ecosystems, and the impacts of human activities on their populations.
Although I have been part of the Society for nearly two decades, my deeper involvement began when I co-chaired the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, held in Palm Beach, Florida, in August 2022. Following that experience, I joined the SMM Board, serving as Secretary (2023–2024) and later as President-Elect (2024–2025).
As President, my goal is to increase the Society’s global impact and broaden our membership by fostering greater inclusivity. I am committed to raising our visibility so that we can more effectively fulfill our mission: advancing marine mammal science worldwide and strengthening its role in education and conservation management. Marine mammals and our marine mammal science community need our efforts now more than ever.
Dear Members, The Board of Governors and I reaffirm the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s unwavering commitment to advancing marine mammal science and maximizing its impact on education, conservation, and management, while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our field is strengthened by the diversity of individuals who contribute to it—across all ages, career stages, nationalities, […]
I am thrilled to announce that Prof Kit Kovacs has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Norris Award. This career achievement award, given in honour of our founding president, recognises individuals who have made exemplary lifetime contributions to marine mammalogy through research, teaching, and service. Prof Kovacs, currently based at the Norwegian […]
The Wood Award is given in honour of F. G. Wood, one of the founders of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. The Award is presented to the first author of the best student paper submitted to Marine Mammal Science, every biennium. The winner is invited to present their work as a Plenary Talk at the […]
Dear Members, As you may be aware, the Society is currently holding a special election for the office of President-Elect. Due to low voter turnout, we have decided to extend the ballot for one more week. The ballot will now be open until 14 March 2024 at 12 PM EST. For members who have not already […]
Dear Member, As communicated on the 12th February, we are holding a special ‘snap’ election for the office of President-Elect to fill the role effective immediately. The ballot will be open for 2 weeks until 7 March 2024 at 12 PM EST. Please sign in and vote here. Thank you for your participation and your […]