Work:796-6027
Fax: 796-6447
Email: eamathews@uas.alaska.edu
Faculty: Arts and Sciences - Natural Sciences - Biology / Campus: Juneau Office: 11390 Glacier Hwy
Education:
Research:
I am interested in research on the population biology and behavioral ecology of marine mammals and the effects of marine protected areas on vertebrates. Much of my recent work has been on harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and harbor porpoise. My graduate research was on humpback and gray whales. I have been involved in field work with colleagues on several other cetacean species, including sperm whales, killer whales, pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, and spinner dolphins. From 1991 to 2003 I led a study on harbor seals in Glacier Bay National Park; this work was accomplished with the help of more than 30 undergraduate biology students and volunteers and NPS biotechnicians. Our work in Glacier Bay revealed that this population of seals declined by more than 65% between 1992 and 2003. In contrast with harbor seals, our surveys of Steller sea lion in Glacier Bay indicated large increases in this pinniped during the same time that harbor seals declined.
My current research focus is on testing hypothesized causes of the declines in harbor seals in Glacier Bay, including predation by Steller sea lions and Pacific sleeper sharks. I am also the Principal Investigator for (with my co-PI, Dr. Matt Heavner) on a National Science Foundation, Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. The NSF, REU grant supports undergraduate students to be directly involved in research and mentored by UAS faculty during a 10 week summer program.
Publications
Curriculum vitae
Courses Taught: