Meet the Team

Marine Mammal Stranding Program Marine Mammal Stranding Program

The UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program would not be possible without our leadership team, researchers, stranding response personnel, and dedicated network of student volunteers!

Program Leadership

Dr. Michael Tift stands outdoors on a dock by a river

Michael Tift, Ph.D.

Director of the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program
Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology

Tiffany Keenan, Ph.D.

Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator
Research Associate in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology

Alison Loftis

Assistant Stranding Coordinator

Faculty Collaborators

Julia Buck, Ph.D.

Faculty Collaborator with the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program
Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology

Lorian Schweikert, Ph.D.

Faculty Collaborator with the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program
Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology

Patrick Erwin, Ph.D.

Faculty Collaborator with the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program
Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology

Kerri Smith, Ph.D

Faculty Collaborator with the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program
Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology

Student Researchers

Jax Salguero

MMSP graduate student researcher and stranding response personnel
Ph.D. student in the Disease Ecology Lab under Dr. Julia Buck

Zaahir "Zaaz" Santhanam

MMSP graduate student researcher and stranding response personnel
Ph.D. student in the Emslie Lab under Dr. Steven Emslie

Veterinary Team

Stephen Anderson, DVM

Veterinarian

Celeste Anderson

Veterinary Technician

Program Founders

D. Ann Pabst, Ph.D.

Founder of the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program
UNCW Faculty Emeritus

William McLellan

Founder of the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program
UNCW Faculty Emeritus

Stranding program hands on training on how to safely place a marine mammal in a stretcher

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.

Become a Volunteer

Join the Wave of Support!

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.

Donate Today