Join us for a captivating evening exploring the world of Northern elephant seals with Professor Doreen Gurrola of Dominican University of California, and four of her students.
Northern elephant seals, once a highly endangered species along our coast, are now found in many rookeries from Northern California to Baja California, Mexico. The colony at Point Reyes National Seashore has slowly grown since they recolonized this area in the 1980s. Students from Dominican University of California will present the natural history of these amazing marine mammals along with the results of their surveys. Speakers will include Noelle Mauricio, Logan Siemers, Rhianon Vertin-Hawkins, Wyatt Walsh, and Professor Doreen Gurrola.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
DOREEN GURROLA
Professor Doreen Gurrola has been working with marine mammals for over 25 years. She is an adjunct professor at Dominican University of California where she is currently teaching courses in environmental science. Prior to her role at Dominican University, Gurrola worked as a marine science educator at The Marine Mammal Center, and as a naturalist at Oceanic Society. She received her Master of Science in marine sciences at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.
At Dominican University of California, students spend two years working with their professor in a Research Methodology course. Professor Doreen Gurrola has partnered with the National Park Service to allow students to study elephant seals of Point Reyes National Seashore. As these students have finished up their research, they will present their survey results.
NOELLE MAURICIO
Noelle Mauricio is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science with a concentration in Ecology and Environment Science. Her hometown of Salinas, California allowed for frequent visits to the beaches in the Monterey Bay, instilling curiosity about the natural world and inspiring her undergraduate major. After graduating, she aspires to work in conservation or habitat restoration.
LOGAN SIEMERS
Logan Siemers is a junior majoring in Biology. He also plans to minor in Chemistry and Psychology. He plays on the NCAA D2 men’s soccer team at Dominican. He got into this research because he loved the outdoor aspect and wanted an opportunity to work with wildlife.
RHIANON VERTIN-HAWKINS
Rhianon Vertin-Hawkins is a junior with a Global Public Health major with a Biology minor. Her career goal is to become a marine-life veterinarian.
WYATT WALSH
Wyatt Walsh is a junior majoring in Biology. He is from Rocklin, CA, and began studying elephant seals in the spring of 2018. He hopes to continue his field biology until he begins graduate school in 2021.
