SIRI E. HAKALA, M.A.



EDUCATION

M.A. in Psychology/Marine Mammal Behavior and Biology, Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii, Manoa, HI (1999 – 2004)
    Thesis: Behavioral choices of male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on the Hawaiian wintering grounds

B.A. in Biology, Chemistry minor, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN, (1994 – 1998)

High school diploma, Stillwater Area High School, Stillwater, MN (1990 – 1994)

WORK AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

August 2006-current
Policy and Communications Specialist, Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NOAA, Protected Resources Division, La Jolla, CA

      
March 2006
Senior Observer, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary/Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, NOAA
    Duties:
    • Marine mammal observations during 1-month research cruise on the NOAA ship Oscar Elton Sette from American Samoa to Honolulu
    • Use of 25X-“Big Eye” binoculars
    • ID photography and occasional biopsy darting from small boat platform
    • Downloading and organizing digital id photos
    Supervisor: Dr. Dave Johnston

January 2006- August 2006
Biotech, Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NOAA, Protected Resources Division, marine mammal genetics lab, La Jolla, CA
   
       Duties:
    • Extract DNA from marine mammal and sea turtle tissue
    • Assist in organizing DNA archive
    • Assist in general lab upkeep
July 2005-September 2005
Research Assistant, Eye of the Whale, Homer, Alaska
   
        Duties:
    • Assist in boat-based behavioral study of humpback whales in Prince William Sound

March 2005-July 2005
Instructor, University of Hawaii Outreach College
      Classes: Psychology 429, Marine Mammal Behavior and Biology
    Non-credit, Dolphin and Whale Behavior   
 
      Duties:
    • Design and create credit and non-credit courses on marine mammal behavior and biology
    • Deliver lectures to two classes
   
March 2005- June 2005
Teacher, La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls, Honolulu
      Classes: Chemistry and Introduction to Physical Science
       
        Duties:
    • Teach IPS and supervise labs for two classes of freshmen
    • Create lesson plans, teach Chemistry and supervise labs for a mixed class of juniors and sophomores


October 2004
Volunteer, Humpback whale Acoustic Research Collaboration (HARC), Peregian Beach, Queensland, Australia
    Duties:
    • Driving a small boat and conducting boat-based behavioral observations of humpback whales
    • Fluke and dorsal fin photography for id purposes using SLR-digital cameras
    • Shore station observations
    Supervisor: Dr. Michael Noad

June 2004-August 2004
Contract Field Biologist, SPLASH Project, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Southwest Fisheries Science Center
    Duties:
    • Marine mammal observations during 2-month line transect cruise on the NOAA ship McArthur II
    • Use of 25X-“Big Eye” binoculars
    • ID photography and occasional biopsy darting from small boat platform
    Supervisor: Dr. Jay Barlow

Summer 2003
Research Assistant, Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA
    Training:
    • Biopsy darting of large whales
    Duties:
    • Fluke and dorsal photo id of humpback whales using digital SLR cameras
    • Taking biopsy samples of large whales
    Supervisor: David Mattila

August 1999-August 2004
MA candidate/Field Coordinator, Department of Psychology/Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Lab(KBMML), University of Hawaii, Manoa
    Research training:
    • Designed independent research project to characterize the behavioral choices of male humpback whales on the Hawaiian wintering grounds
    • Managed a 17,000 identification photograph database
    • Supervised training of graduate students, undergraduates, and field staff
    • Assisted in writing state and federal research permit applications and permit reports 
    • Presented bi-weekly lectures on topics such as humpback whale ecology, fluke matching, and cetacean evolution to groups of research assistants
    Field Experience:
    • Supervised a staff of 5-6 in all research and program activities
    • Captained, and performed routine maintenance on small boats
    • Collected biopsy samples via crossbow
    • Obtained fluke and dorsal identification photographs of humpback whales and other cetacean species
    • Supervised shore station operations and operated surveyor’s theodolite
    • Conducted in-water observations and video recording of humpback whale behavior
    Teaching and Advising:
    • Organized, recruited and conducted interviews for an undergraduate research program, KBMML
    • Undergraduate Advisor, Psychology Department
    • Teaching assistant in Design and Analysis of Psychological Experiments, Psychology Department
    • Teaching Assistant in Love and Intimacy, Psychology Department
    • Teaching assistant in Developmental Psychology, Psychology Department
    Supervisors: Drs. Louis Herman and Adam Pack

Summer 1999
Public Information Coordinator, National Youth Science Camp, Bartow, WV
    Duties:
    • Organized local and national press coverage for the non-profit camp including press releases and radio and print media interviews
    • Collaborated with a team of staff members to organize special events and outings
    • Supervised overnight hiking and camping trips into wilderness
    Supervisor: Paul Miller

Summers 1995 and 1996
Research Intern, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program
    Research training:
    • Conducted study of baleen whale abundance as it correlated to the occurrence of internal waves
    • Participated in three 1-2 week  research cruises in the Gulf of Maine
    • Wrote a distance-to-closure program for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
    Supervisor:  Dr. Mark Patterson

January 1996 to June 1996
Grant recipient, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, University of Minnesota, Morris
    Research training:
    • Examined ability of dinoflagellate, Pyrocystis lunula, to survive in a closed system
    Supervisor: Dr. Van Gooch

MEMBERSHIPS, AWARDS, CERTIFICATIONS AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

2003                NAUI Master SCUBA diver
2003                NAUI SCUBA Rescue diver
2003                NAUI Enriched Air Nitrox diver
2003                NAUI First Aid and CPR
2001-present    Animal Behavior Society, member
2001-2004       MARMAM Assistant Editor- international marine mammal listserv
2000-present    Society of Marine Mammalogy, member
1998                Scholar of the College Award, University of Minnesota
1996                University of MN Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
1996                PADI Open Water diver
1995-1998       Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, member
1994                Berggren $10,000 Scholarship for the University of Minnesota