Josie Slaathaug

Experience

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  Northeastern University

  Mar 2020 - Jul 2020

  Outreach Co-Op

  This primarily remote position involved adapting high-level science to material suitable for k-12 audiences. In-person opportunities prior to COVID-19 lockdown included participation in a traveling touch-tank program to local elementary schools as well as aiding in the annual Boston Area High School Marine Science Symposium: a program created to connect local students with researchers and marine scientists in the New England Area.

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  Sarasota Dolphin Research Program

  Jan 2021 - May 2021

  Research Internship

  This study monitors the resident bottlenose dolphin community in Sarasota Bay and vicinity. Field duties include assisting with boat-based Photographic Identification Surveys for dolphin groups one-to-two weeks per month. Behavioral, location, individual, and environmental data are recorded for each dolphin group, and additional data related to human-dolphin interactions are also collected in conjunction with this project. While in the lab (at least two weeks per month), work involves photo-identification of dolphins, computer data entry and verification, logging of videos into database and archives, dolphin dorsal fin identification catalog updates, boat and field equipment maintenance, and other duties. Additionally, this study uses the Sarasota dolphin community and fish populations to study relationships between distributions of dolphins and their prey, and the factors that affect fish community ecology, such as red tide. While in the field, work involves sampling fish communities through purse seining techniques and collection of other environmental data. Interns participate in this project two-to-three days per month. Show less

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  Miami-Dade County

  May 2022 - Mar 2023

  Sea Turtle Biologist

  During sea turtle nesting season, the primary responsibilities of this position were daily morning surveys on ATV, UTV, or 4WD vehicles throughout Miami-Dade County commencing a half hour before sunrise. Biologists marked each nesting emergence and collected data including track width, environmental variables, and species identified by crawl shape. Biologists also respond to stranded sea turtles and sea turtle carcasses throughout the county. During my time, I took the role of stranding lead for the team and personally responded to 70% of cases. Another key component of this position was community outreach through programs offered to the public as well as educational tabling events, sometimes in cooperation with other entities such as Zoo Miami. I took on the role of social media manager during my employment, single-handedly increasing profile engagement by over 1000% through the use of video clips in Instagram Reels. Prior to my departure I created a social media recommendations and protocol for the team to adopt into SOP for future use.Additionally during this employment period I spearheaded creation and writing of the first annual Technical Report, conducting data analysis for management use internally. Show less

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  The Marine Mammal Center

  Mar 2023 - now

  This internship supports The Center’s Cetacean Conservation Biology program by providing an educational opportunity for early career researchers looking to refine their skills in sea-going research. Interns participate in regular marine mammal surveys and support all aspects of survey preparation, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. Research surveys are conducted from small vessels both in San Francisco and Monterey Bay as well as offshore environments. Interns receive advanced training in small boat safety, photo-identification, line-transect data collection, and other tools and techniques necessary to conduct field research.As a key component of this internship period, creating tools for data visualization at policy-making meetings such as the Port of San Francisco's Harbor Safety Committee was emphasized. Interns also choose complete an independent research project on their area of interest. For my project, I developed the first photo-identification catalog of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in San Francisco Bay. I analyzed over 12,500 photos from 2018-2023 to identify individuals and analyze sighting trends. Show less

  • Volunteer

    Jan 2024 - now

  • Cetacean Ecology Intern

    Mar 2023 - Dec 2023