I earned my PhD from Durham University in the UK in Behavioral Ecology, and a Masters of Coastal Environmental Management from Duke University. Now at at UAA, I teach Marine Mammal Biology, Conservation Biology, and Advanced Analysis and Visualization (among other classes) and serve on the Graduate Affairs and Outreach committees. Originally from the Midwest, I have been working and living in Alaska since 2015 and love kayaking, painting, and exploring the amazing wilderness with my 7yr old lab, Pippin. 

Ana joined the Bishop Lab in Fall 2023 to pursue a MS in biological sciences. Currently, she is working with the United States Geological Survey investigating the impacts of telemetric tagging on Northern sea otters using archival data and whisker samples. Ana moved to Alaska in September 2023 from Hawai‘i where she earned a B.S. in marine biology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. In her free time, Ana enjoys scuba diving, kayaking, and hiking with her dog Kona

Kyle is pursuing his MSc degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He received his BSc in Biology from the University of California Santa Cruz and arrived at the Bishop Lab from UCSC’s Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Laboratory. Kyle previously led the Pinniped Lab’s onsite research team at the Alaska SeaLife Center, where he studied diving and swimming energetics in ice seals. Kyle’s research interests revolve around understanding the physiological constraints of pinnipeds and seabirds in order to predict their tolerance to changing ocean conditions. Kyle enjoys long walks on the beach, reading, and rugby

Originally from North Carolina, Natalie attended the
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in marine biology. Natalie has now called Alaska home for the past six years. While pursuing her master’s in biological sciences at UAA, she is simultaneously working as a Laboratory Technician at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC). There, she has the unique opportunity to work closely with native Alaskan wildlife through veterinary exams, necropsies, and laboratory analysis.  While studying at UAA, Natalie aims to make valuable connections while further exploring the ecological significance of relationships with marine ecosystems.

Madison graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with her BSc in Biology in the spring of 2022. During her career at UWSP, she studied the phytoremediation abilities of plants contaminated with heavy metals. Madison moved to Alaska in the fall of 2022 and shortly after, began working as a wildlife specialist with the USDA Wildlife Services. She continues her path with the USDA as she pursues her MSc in biology at UAA. Within the Bishop Lab, she is examining mercury contaminants and their potential ecological and behavioral effects on gray seals (Halichoerus grypus). Madison spends her free time birding, reading, crafting, and hiking with her dog Gus.

Ben joined the Bishop Lab in Fall 2024 to pursue his MSc in biological sciences. He received his BSc in Biology at University of California Santa Cruz and came from UCSC’s Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Laboratory and Año Nuevo Reserve. After completing his BSc, he spent time on the Farallon Islands working with northern elephant seals for Point Blue Conservation. Currently, Ben is working on a project funded by Alaska Sea Grant focused on foraging ecology of male Steller sea lions and northern fur seals and how they adapt to changing ocean conditions. In his free time, Ben enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking, and downhill skiing.

Lizi came to Alaska in 2022 from Alabama, where she received her BSc in Biology from the University of South Alabama. Before her arrival, she spent a year working at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab with benthic invertebrates in the Sediment Ecology Lab. Now, as she pursues a MSc in Biological Sciences with the Bishop Lab, she’ll be studying the behavior of pacific sleeper sharks (Somniosus pacificus). In her free time, Lizi enjoys reading, paddle/snowboarding (depending on the time of year), and spending time with her two senior dogs Lulu and Danny.

Markus founded and leads Wildlife Technology Frontiers in Seward, AK. He has been working as a marine scientist for the past 40 years. He has used biotelemetry as s tool since the 1980s on many species including pinnipeds, seabirds and reptiles. We have collaborated on several biotelemetry projects since 2016.

METAL, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, conducts research to understand heavy metals within marine ecosystems and how they may impact piscivorous animals. The group is comprised of multiple PIs, research professionals and graduate students. Dr. Rea and Dr. Barst collaborate with our research team on several projects related to foraging ecology and community resilience.