Daniel Costa, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and director of the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, has been honored by the Society of Marine Mammalogy (SMM) in its inaugural class of SMM Fellows.
Costa was recognized “for pioneering work in field physiology, biologging development, and global syntheses, and for training the next generation of marine mammalogists.”
The new “Fellows” designation was created to recognize SMM members who have “rendered conspicuous service or made truly notable contributions to the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of marine mammal science or the fostering of its practical applications through conservation of marine mammals.”
An internationally recognized expert on the physiology, ecology, and behavior of marine mammals, Costa has been a pioneer in the development and use of electronic tags to track the movements and behavior of marine mammals and to gather oceanographic data. The Costa Lab leads the long-running UCSC elephant seal research program at Año Nuevo Reserve, and his research on marine mammals and seabirds has ranged across the globe, from Monterey Bay to Alaska, Antarctica, Australia, the Galapagos Islands, and more.
Founded in 1981, the SMM works to promote the global advancement of marine mammal science and contribute to its relevance and impact in education, conservation, and management.
