I graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Biological
Sciences, through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. While in
school I studied dispersal patterns of Vermont bobcat via genetic markers.
I also spent a semester at the Center for Coastal Studies in Baja
California Sur, Mexico where I participated in a field study to examine
the impacts of whale watching on the behavior of grey whales. In Baja I
also assisted with green sea turtle tagging with Wildcoast and SFS. This
was followed by a summer internship with the Ocean Alliance in Gloucester,
MA where I helped to provide an educational experience for passengers
on-board a commercial whale watching vessel through use of hands-on
teaching tools. I also assisted in collecting behavior and
photoidentification data for humpback, fin, and minke whales in the Gulf
of Maine. After graduation I returned to Ocean Alliance as a marine mammal
toxicology intern, and worked on determining gene sequence and expression
levels of Cytochrome P450 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1 in Atlantic white-sided
dolphin. These genes are associated in the breakdown of compounds such as
PCB’s and serve as biomarkers of exposure to persistent organic
pollutants. In my free time I volunteered with the Marine Animal Lifeline,
assisting with rehabilitation of harbor, gray, hooded, and harp seals
prior to re-release. After completing my internship, I headed off to work
as a kayak guide and naturalist in Prince William Sound and Southeast
Alaska before landing here at Moss Landing Marine Labs in the Fall of
2006.

I currently work for the Marine Mammal Stranding Network of Monterey
County. Although I have not yet begun my thesis work, my research
interests include fisheries interactions, humpback whale foraging,
toxicology, and population genetics. I am also very interested in
developing new ways to bring science to the public, as well as bridging
the gap between science and policy.

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Danielle M. Frechette
Vertebrate Ecology Laboratory
(831) 771-4422
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
8272 Moss Landing Road
Moss Landing, CA 95039