Senior Manager, Whales Initiative

• Oct 2021 - Present

Research Manager

• Nov 2020 - Oct 2021

As a Research Manager for the Whales Initiative at Ocean Wise, I'm responsible for overseeing two high profile projects: The BC Cetacean Sightings Network (BCCSN) and the WhaleReport Alert System (WRAS).The WhaleReport Alert System (WRAS) is a conservation tool created by Ocean Wise in partnership with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and other industry and government partners. The WRAS uses real-time whale sightings, reported to the BC Cetacean Sightings Network through the WhaleReport app, to inform commercial mariners of whales in their vicinity so that they may take mitigation measures to reduce vessel-associated impacts. Since its inception, the WRAS has delivered over 9,200 alerts to mariners from 52 organizations throughout BC and WA State.Currently, I am transitioning the WRAS from a pilot project to a fully integrated whale alert tool in the Pacific Northwest. I am responsible for identifying and securing long-term funding in support of the WRAS and BCCSN, creating work plans and schedules to meet or exceed all activities stipulated by funding agencies, and preparing technical reports for funders and stakeholders. I oversee technical and conceptual enhancements to the WRAS, the associated WhaleReport app, and backend infrastructure. I maintain key relationships with project partners and marine industry professionals and collaborate with organizations responsible for other whale detection systems to determine a strategy for integrating their data into the WRAS. Along with my team, I develop engagement strategies to enhance mariner participation, design promotional and training materials, and coordinate training activities. I maintain key relationships with existing research and conservation organizations by preparing technical reports, presenting at scientific conferences, and promoting the WRAS project through publications and social media.

BCCSN Manager and Applied Research Biologist

• May 2019 - Nov 2020

As the BCCSN Manager, I am responsible for the operation of The BC Cetacean Sightings Network (BCCSN), one of Canada's most established citizen science programs, operated by Ocean Wise Conservation Association in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The BCCSN collects sightings of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) and sea turtles from mariners and coastal citizens along the B.C. coast. The BCCSN promotes the conservation of these species through outreach including presentations, information booths, brochures/posters, blogs/newsletters, and educational signage (e.g. The Whale Trail BC). The BCCSN works closely with marine industry to implement programs and technology to decrease cetacean-vessel strike risk and disturbance. One of its principle activities is the development of applied research projects, including the WhaleReport Alert System (WRAS). The WRAS uses real-time sightings, reported to the BCCSN through the WhaleReport app, to inform commercial mariners of whales in their vicinity so that they may take mitigation measures to reduce vessel-associated impacts. I was responsible for the development of the WhaleReport Alert System and enhancements to the existing WhaleReport app. I maintained relationships with marine industry professionals who use the WRAS and designed strategies for acquiring information on the abundance and seasonal distribution of cetaceans in the lower mainland, central coast, and Vancouver Island. I supervised the outreach activities of the BCCSN, implemented by the BCCSN Coordinator, and oversaw the expansion and execution of the BCCSN’s land-based whale watching initiative (The Whale Trail BC).

Coordinator, BC Cetacean Sightings Network

• Mar 2017 - May 2019

The B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network is a research and conservation program of the Vancouver Aquarium, in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Our goal is to increase public awareness of British Columbia’s whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea turtles, and the threats to their survival. The B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network is a network of over 6,000 observers across British Columbia, including ecotourism professionals, researchers, commercial mariners, recreational boaters, and coastal residents. Our observers report their sightings of cetaceans and sea turtles via our website, toll-free hotline, email, or our logbook program. The BCCSN works to both gather data on the occurrence of whales, dolphins and porpoises in BC waters and to educate boaters and coastal citizens about the threats these species face.

Veterinary Office Assistant

• Sep 2014 - Feb 2017

I managed doctors’ schedules, booked appointments for exams, surgeries, and specialists, maintained detailed medical records, filled prescriptions, created diet plans for pets, and responded to client queries and complaints. I was responsible for maintaining the clinic's social media account and wrote numerous blogs for their website. I managed doctors’ schedules, booked appointments for exams, surgeries, and specialists, maintained detailed medical records, filled prescriptions, created diet plans for pets, and responded to client queries and complaints. I was responsible for maintaining the clinic's social media account and wrote numerous blogs for their website.

Masters Student - Marine and Fisheries Ecology

• Sep 2013 - Sep 2014

This one-year programme has provided me with the knowledge and tools needed to find new solutions for managing our marine natural resources. This interdisciplinary course offers both theoretical and practical experience, and places an emphasis on equally developing my biological and quantitative toolkits so that I can understand biological and ecological processes, learn new analytical techniques, and understand how to apply those to manage natural resources. This training in both concepts and practical skills is achieved through a combination of formal teaching, field courses, and independent project work. My current thesis project is focusing on quantitative analysis of harbour porpoise stomach contents, to see if changes in prey availability due to fishing activity and climate change has affected diet composition and health.

Veterinary Office Assistant

• Sep 2009 - Sep 2013

Provided customer service for pet owners, administered medications and specialised diets to hospitalised animals, assisted technicians and doctors with animal restraint, radiographs, and exams, followed specific cleaning protocols and maintained high standards of hygiene set by the BCVMA, maintained daily hospital records, created and processed invoices and insurance documents, booked appointments and surgeries Provided customer service for pet owners, administered medications and specialised diets to hospitalised animals, assisted technicians and doctors with animal restraint, radiographs, and exams, followed specific cleaning protocols and maintained high standards of hygiene set by the BCVMA, maintained daily hospital records, created and processed invoices and insurance documents, booked appointments and surgeries

Animal Care Attendant

• Jan 2013 - Aug 2013

Cleaned the facility to a high standard, fed and exercised animals, assisted in community outreach, assisted in the processing of adoption applications and ensured suitable home placement for animals, trained animals using positive reinforcement techniques Cleaned the facility to a high standard, fed and exercised animals, assisted in community outreach, assisted in the processing of adoption applications and ensured suitable home placement for animals, trained animals using positive reinforcement techniques

Marine Mammal Intern, Pacific Northwest Team

• Sep 2011 - Dec 2011

Obtained further experience in marine mammal husbandry and training. Assisted in diet preparation, exhibit maintenance, training sessions, animal observation, and public presentation Obtained further experience in marine mammal husbandry and training. Assisted in diet preparation, exhibit maintenance, training sessions, animal observation, and public presentation

Pinniped Training and Research Intern

• Sep 2010 - Dec 2010

Obtained practical experience in marine mammal husbandry and training, became familiarized with all aspects of marine mammal care such as diet preparation, training sessions, veterinary procedures, interactions with the public, and animal observation. Assisted with ground breaking research at the world renowned Open Water Research facility. Completed a research report on anaesthetic induction time in captive Steller sea lions and presented my findings in a formal presentation to members of the Marine Mammal Department

Veterinary Assistant

• Sep 2008 - Sep 2009

Assisted veterinarians with exams and surgeries, assisted in the vaccination and sterilization of Langford's feral cat population in association with Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders, maintained daily hospital records, administered medications and specialized diets to hospitalized animals Assisted veterinarians with exams and surgeries, assisted in the vaccination and sterilization of Langford's feral cat population in association with Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders, maintained daily hospital records, administered medications and specialized diets to hospitalized animals