Thesis Topic: Predator-prey relationships between North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) and waterbirds in the Humboldt Bay

Advisor: Dr. Jeff Black

Undergraduate Degree/Institution: Wildlife Biology (Management and Conservation), Humboldt State University

Bio: I am originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to the United States at age 7. I was then raised in Orange County, CA. From a young age, I have always been fascinated by animals and the outdoors. Born in a large city and being raised in the Los Angeles/ Orange County area, I always longed to get away from the hustle of the city. I worked at a local wildlife sanctuary and some veterinary hospitals during my time in community college in Orange County. Seeing the constant modification of the landscape around me and the disappearance of wildlife habitat inspired me to pursue my bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology at Humboldt State. During my time as an undergraduate I volunteered with California Department of Fish and Wildlife Service (CDFWS) and assisted in tracking, GPS collaring, data management, and population surveys of our local Roosevelt elk herds. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree I worked with CDFWS as a scientific aid on a project to collect fecal samples of black-tailed deer in Humboldt and Trinity counties for a statewide fecal DNA study. After that, I continued as a scientific aid working with Roosevelt elk here in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties on the Coastal Elk Project assisting with GIS, GPS collaring, and surveys. I have always wanted to do research involving predators and waterfowl and I am finally getting the opportunity to do so with my graduate project! In my free time I am a full-time mom and love to spend time with my family, gardening, and cooking Argentinian food so I can always remember where I came from!