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. 

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.