Please join us as we hear from marine biologist, Dr. Gina Lonati of The Marine Mammal Center’s Cetacean Conservation Biology department. Gina will discuss the myriad ways drones are being used to study cetacean behavior, ecology, health, and physiology. Including results from her PhD research on North Atlantic right whales, she will review new insights – such as how researchers can measure the body volume or internal temperatures of free-swimming whales with drones. Additionally, Gina will describe her current role leading drone operations with The Marine Mammal Center in San Francisco Bay and how this technology is contributing to the local conservation of gray whales - notably of heightened concern to all of us.

This free event is open to the public. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. A suggested donation of $10 per participant is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Donations help cover webinar costs and support our education and cetacean research grant programs. To donate, please visit our website https://www.acs-sfbay.org/donate. We are grateful for your support!

Bio

Dr. Gina Lonati is a scientist with the Cetacean Conservation Biology department at The Marine Mammal Center.  Originally from the east coast, Gina has a BA from Bowdoin College, an MSc from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and a PhD from the University of New Brunswick.  Over the past 15 years, she has studied the growth dynamics of sea urchins, the diving physiology of toothed whales, age estimation of manatees, and the plankton prey of North Atlantic right whales.  Her biggest passion is the use of drone technology to study the health of large free-swimming whales.  Gina is particularly excited about what novel measurements we can obtain from drone-based sensors without disturbing these animals, such as temperatures inside their blowholes and other indicators of injury, pregnancy, and disease.