About Us

Marine Mammal Summer Camp About Us

The Marine Mammal Summer Camp is hosted by the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary's University and the Canadian Whale Institute. The camp is led by two instructors, Dr. Brenna McLeod/Frasier and Dr. Timothy Frasier, and two camp assistants. Campers will also have access to marine mammal experts who conduct various types of marine research, both in the laboratory and in the field.

Instructors

Dr. Brenna McLeod/Frasier, Ph.D. Researcher and Educator

Brenna is interested in the use of genetic analyses to better understand species history, evolution, diversity, and status of a variety of marine mammals. Exploitation over the last few centuries has devastated many marine mammal stocks worldwide and the effects of population reductions, the extent to which species are now recovering, and the means to evaluate this recovery is only now beginning to be understood. Primarily, though not exclusively, her research involves the assessment of genetic diversity within historic (using ancient DNA) and contemporary marine mammal populations that have been reduced by hunting/whaling activities. In addition, her interests lie in the use of ancient DNA analysis to explore and elucidate species demographic history as it relate to historical climate change. With a clearer understanding of species history, current status, and recovery, we can better aim resources and strategies for conservation and management of marine mammals.

Brenna has a PhD. in Environment and Life Science from Trent University. She is currently a research associate with the Frasier Lab of Molecular Biology and Evolution at Saint Mary's University and the Nova Scoia Museum of Natural History.

Visit the Frasier Lab's Website

Dr. Timothy Frasier, Department of Biology, Saint Mary's University

Tim is an Associate Professor at Saint Mary’s University (Halifax, Nova Scotia) in the Department of Biology and the Forensic Science Program. He has been conducting genetic analyses on the North Atlantic right whale since 1999, when he began his graduate work in the laboratory of Dr. Brad White (then at McMaster University, now at Trent University). His Ph.D. focused on combining photo-identification and genetic data to better understand the reproductive biology of right whales. This work has led to several new insights into patterns of reproductive success in this species, as well as to a better understanding of the factors influencing reproductive performance. This work is ongoing, and Tim and Brad are currently working to continue the genetic analysis of the North Atlantic right whale. In addition to his work on right whales, Tim also conducts genetic analyses of several other whale species (including the St. Lawrence beluga, and eastern North Pacific gray whales), and he is involved in several other projects that focus on obtaining better understanding of the reproductive biology of small populations and/or endangered species.

Visit The Frasier Lab's Website