Christina Toms

Marine Biologist, Marine Mammal Observer

Christina is a marine biologist with a special interest in marine mammals. With a BA in Marine Science and Psychology from the University of Hawaii, Hilo and a passion for behavioral research, Christina has had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects across the US. Her first internship was in 2001 and focused on the distribution of marine mammals in the waters surrounding Maui, HI. From there she has studied human impacts on the behavior of sea otters in CA, population dynamics and the behavior of fin, minke and humpback whales in New England, and has done aerial surveys of right whales in GA with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Center of Coastal Studies Whale Disentanglement Program.   

In April of 2006, these experiences landed her in Florida, working with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program. She has been involved in a variety of research projects including the social development of juvenile bottlenose dolphins, long-term population studies, dolphin-prey interactions, human impact studies and has conducted manatee aerial surveys. Christina began as an MMO in August of 2007, and is currently working as a lead in the Gulf of Mexico. She is still involved with the dolphin lab, working there on her time off from sea. 

Along with these great research opportunities, Christina has also had experience capturing, tagging, weighting and measuring sea turtles in HI, and has husbandry experience in both terrestrial and marine animals. She spent time volunteering at a marine mammal rehabilitation center in CA, working to rescue, recover, and release injured and sick harbor seals, CA sea lions and elephant seals. Through these experiences she has gained excellent photography and photo ID skills and a proficiency in a variety of database programs. 

Christina’s love of the ocean has extended beyond boat research to include experience in scientific diving, and a PADI open water certification. She has also spent time educating school groups and adults about marine mammals and been involved in several environmental awareness outreach programs.

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