My goal as a scientist is to identify and understand the physiological limits of wildlife. I plan to use this information as a tool for furthering the field of comparative physiology and implementing conservation efforts. Currently, my main interests include understanding more about the physiological mechanisms used by air-breathing, deep-diving marine predators.

Recently, I have been investigating the role and function of carbon monoxide (CO) in wildlife organisms. Surprisingly, this "silent killer" is made naturally in most organisms from the breakdown of hemoglobin and other heme-proteins. The levels of CO found in some marine mammals resembles those seen in chronic smokers. However low amounts of carbon monoxide have recently been found to protect tissues from specific injuries.

Degrees

  • B.S. Biology, Sonoma State University
  • M.S. Physiology, Sonoma State University