Jennifer Burns

Executive Director and Professor, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology

Location Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology

Areas of Expertise Conservation physiologist with a focus on marine mammals

Bio

Research Interests

Research in my laboratory has explored the linkages between physiology, nutrition, and performance in mammalian systems. Primarily, our work is focused on polar marine mammals, as the challenges these species face to exploit underwater food resources in a highly seasonal environment have led to multiple unique adaptations that highlight basic physiological principles. Research activities have proceeded along three main lines: 1) understanding the pattern of physiological development in juvenile marine mammals, and how it is regulated; 2) determining how physiological condition impacts diving performance and foraging success; and 3) determining how critical life history events are influenced by, and reflective of, individual condition and prey availability and environmental conditions. These questions are particularly relevant in polar ecosystems, where climate change is reducing available habitats, and altering food webs, but they are important to all populations.

Education

PhD (1997): College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA. ” The development of diving behavior and physiology in juvenile Weddell seals in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.”

MSc (1992): School of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Washington, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Seattle, WA, USA. ” Environmental and biological factors that influence harbor seal haulout behavior in Washington, and their consequences for the design of population surveys.”

AB/BS (1990) Biology (conc. Marine) and Zoology (double), English minor, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.