A brief overview of Alejandro Acevedo's Lab

We are interested in scientific inquiry and scientific education.

• Through the Department of Biology we study the role of marine mammals in their environment and their interactions with humans.
• Through the Science, Mathematics and Technology Program we attempt to improve the teaching of science at all levels.

Biological Research

Genetics of harbor seals

In collaboration with Dr. Dietmar Schwarz and former graduate student Austen Thomas, we aim to examine the individual foraging behavior and population structure of harbor seals; to do so we are first fine-tuning the methodology to genetically identify individual seals. Funded by Western Washington University.

Harbor seal interactions with humans

We are examining the interactions between harbor seals and humans in the Salish Sea. Funded by Western Washington University, the North Cascades Audubon Society and Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium.

Natural history of harbor seals

We are describing the natural history of harbor seals in the Salish Sea. Funded by Western Washington University, the Western Foundation and the North Cascades Audubon Society.

Harbor seal and marine mammal impact on fish populations 

We described the abundance, movements and foraging habits of harbor seals in the Salish Sea to assess their impact on rockfish and other prey populations.  Funded by Western Washington University, the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust and National Science Foundation (Award #0550443).  

New Zealand fur seal interactions with tourists

We described the interactions between New Zealand fur seals and humans around the town of Kaikoura, South Island. Funded by Western Washington University.

Science Education Research

North Cascades and Olympic Science Partnership 

Within a research program led by Dr. George Nelson, former Director of SMATE, we developed a new curriculum to help future teachers learn about the process of science and the transfer of matter and energy in living systems. Funded by WWU and National Science Foundation (Award #0315060).

Learn more about all these projects in the research page.

If you are interested in graduate studies, click this link: graduate work.