Nature's Narratives: Dolphins - The Canary in the Proverbial Coal Mine

Dolphins and a host of other marine mammals have a lot to say about survival. It’s a good thing someone is listening.
Dolphins serve as vital indicators of ocean health, offering valuable insights into the state of marine ecosystems. As apex predators who, like humans, tend to stay close to where they grow up, their well-being reflects the quality of their habitat, including water quality, prey availability, and the presence of pollutants. Join us as we explore how studying dolphins' behavior, diet, and physiology can uncover critical information about environmental changes, such as climate shifts, toxic algal blooms, and contamination from human activity. By monitoring dolphin populations, scientists gain a better understanding of the broader challenges facing marine environments, emphasizing the importance of conserving these charismatic animals to ensure the health of the oceans and the communities that depend on them.

Jill spent part of her childhood living on a boat in the Caribbean with her parents and three siblings, which resulted in a profound passion and sense of respect for the ocean. This led her to pursue a dual degree in Biology and Anthropology at the University of California, San Diego. Following graduation, she was accepted into a Ph.D. program at the University of Miami’s, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, studying Marine Biology. Shortly after completing her degree, she was offered a full-time faculty position at the University of Miami, allowing her to continue her passion for research and teaching.
While at UM, Jill developed a new, innovative graduate program, called the Master of Professional Science, and was nominated as an Outstanding Program Director two years in a row, as an Outstanding Faculty Member, named an honorary member of the Golden Key International Honour Society (acknowledged as “an advocate for student success and for an outstanding job in the capacity as an educator”), the recipient of the Excellence in Programming Award and Miami Dade Public Schools Award for Excellence in Service, the Clinton Global U Initiative for “Extraordinary Commitment to Action”, and was acknowledged as an Engaged Faculty Fellow for her efforts to cohere education and community service.

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