Last week, our director Dr. Michael Tift sat down with Rachel Keith at WHQR Public Radio to chat about recent marine mammal strandings, current research projects, and more! Check out the full interview via WHQR!
Upcoming Volunteer Meetings
Volunteer Meeting - Program Introduction
September 6th, 2023 - 7-8pm McNeill Hall 1005
Join us for the first volunteer meeting of the Fall 2023 semester! We will go over important information & requirements for our volunteers, so attendance is required, in person or via Zoom. We are so excited about the trainings and opportunities planned for this semester!
Topic: UNCW MMSP Volunteer Meetings Join the webinar Passcode: 797657
Volunteer Meeting - Research Highlights & Career Info
September 20th, 2023 - 6pm-7:30pm McNeil Hall 1005
We will have guest presentations from researchers with the MMSP, info on how to get involved in their research, and other tips for preparing for a career in this field.
October 1st, 2023 - 11am - 5pm at the Oriole Burevitch Laboratory (OBL) on campus.
Necropsies (animal autopsies) are a key part of stranding investigations. This workshop will allow you to get up close and personal during an actual necropsy investigation. Remember to sign and submit your waivers in order to participate! (Links on our Volunteer page)
As a follow-up to our Research Highlights and Career Info Session, we are partnering with the UNCW Career Center to go over how to best create a resume targeted towards pursuing a career in this field.
November 8, 9, 14, 15 (Time TBD), Oriole Burevitch Laboratory
Now that you've had the oppportunity to see what is involved in performing a necropsy, we will be holding a series of sampling workshops to introduce you to protocols for taking samples during this investigation. Come build your hands-on skills and learn about how and why we sample different tissues during a necropsy.
Pre-registration required, info coming soon!
Community Events
Fall 2023 Community Events
Planet Ocean Seminar - An Overview of Marine Mammal Research at UNCW with Dr. Michael Tift
September 12, 2023 6:30pm - 8pm, UNCW Center for Marine Science (Free, registration required)
During this presentation, Dr. Michael Tift will discuss several different ongoing research projects at UNCW involving marine mammal species found off the coast of North Carolina, all the way down to Antarctica. Specifically, Dr. Tift will cover his ongoing research project to understand the impacts of climate change on the most populous wild mammal on the planet, the crabeater seal, in Antarctica. He will also describe the usefulness of understanding marine mammal biology, as a mechanism to advance the fields of human and veterinary health. Finally, he will provide an overview of the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program, which plays a critical role in responding to sick, injured, and deceased marine mammals along the North Carolina coast.
October 18th, 2023 - 11:30am - 1:30pm in front of Dobo Hall
If you are a current undergraduate student, come learn more about opportunities to get involved in the Bio/Marine Bio department! (there will be free pizza!)
Cape Fear River Watch First Saturday Seminar
November 4th, 2023 - 8am Pancake Breakfast, 9am-10am Seminar
Join us as we discuss the ecology of marine mammal species that reside the Cape Fear Estuary!
Join Our Team as a Volunteer!
Dive into a world of hands-on learning & marine exploration. Our dynamic team is a mix of volunteers, students, faculty & staff from the Department of Biology & Marine Biology. Fill out our volunteer interest form below & become a valued member of our volunteer community.
Our Marine Mammal Stranding Program depends on the support of individuals like you. Every contribution, whether big or small, helps support our mission to understand, preserve & protect our marine mammals.