Our Research

Scientific Research

PMMC rescues, rehabilitates, and releases marine mammals, and in doing so we contribute to ocean science and conservation.

Through our work, we carefully gather important information, samples, and data, giving our team and collaborating scientists vital access to valuable findings.
Our dedication to using a scientific approach is at the core of our mission and allows us to make significant contributions to marine mammal conservation and research.

Core Research Topics

IMPROVING FISHERIES INTERACTIONS AND NEGATIVE HUMAN IMPACTS ON OUR MARINE ENVIRONMENT

SINGLE USE PLASTIC & MICROPLASTICS IN OUR OCEANS

WHALE & DOLPHIN HEALTH ASSESSMENTS

SEA LION CANCER AND DDT OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM

EFFECTS OF DOMOIC ACID ON MARINE MAMMALS AND PUBLIC HEALTH

PMMC Research Team

DR. ALISSA DEMING, MS, DVM, PHD

VP of Conservation Medicine + Science
DR. KAYLEE BROWN

Associate Veterinarian
MALENA BERNDT

Veterinary Assistant
DR. BAYLIE LOCKE

Veterinary Intern
SHAWN ABBEY

Research and Necropsy Technician
CRISTINA ROBINSON

Ocean Health Fellow

Publications

Pregnancy profiles in the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): Clinical biochemical and hematological variations during healthy gestation and a successful outcome

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Health Impacts and Recovery From Prolonged Freshwater Exposure in a Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

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Quantifying the linkages between California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) strandings and particulate domoic acid concentrations at piers across Southern California

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Otariid gammaherpesvirus 1 in South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) and a novel related herpesvirus in free-ranging South American sea lions (Otaria byronia): Prevalence and effects of age, sex, and sample type

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Causes of death and pathogen prevalence in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus stranded in Alabama, USA, between 2015 and 2020, following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

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Precision of the Abaxis VetScan VS2 for postmortem biochemical analysis of delphinid vitreous humor

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Environmental Enrichment Devices Are Safe and Effective at Reducing Undesirable Behaviors in California Sea Lions and Northern Elephant Seals during Rehabilitation

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Draft Genome Sequences of Erysipelothrix sp. Strains Isolated from Stranded Septic Bottlenose Dolphins in Alabama, USA

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Unlocking the Role of a Genital Herpesvirus, Otarine Herpesvirus 1, in California Sea Lion Cervical Cancer

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Standardization of Dolphin Cardiac Auscultation and Characterization of Heart Murmurs in Managed and Free-Ranging Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

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Persistent Contaminants and Herpesvirus OtHV1 Are Positively Associated With Cancer in Wild California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus)iption goes here

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Dead or Alive: Use of Elemental Analysis to Determine Status of Stranded Perinate Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

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Suspected broadhead arrow injuries in two common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) along the Alabama Coast

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First Extralimital Record of an Eastern Pacific Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) Pup at Guadalupe Island, Mexico

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Prevalence of Urogenital Carcinoma in Stranded California Sea Lions ( Zalophus californianus) from 2005-15

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Faecal microbiota analysis and transplantation in four oceanaria-based short-finned pilot whales Globicephala macrorhynchus

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We have several volunteer positions as well as advanced training opportunities for qualified individuals. Check out the resources below to learn more.