SMM STUDENT CHAPTERS
SMM Student Chapters bring together communities of students who are passionate about marine mammal science. These chapters create opportunities to connect, network, exchange ideas, and engage in discussions about research and career development. Student groups around the world have already established chapters, which you can explore in the directory below.
If there is not currently a Student Chapter in your area, we encourage you to start one. While many SMM Student Chapters have traditionally represented broad geographic regions, more localized chapters are also welcomed and may better serve some student communities.
Below is a directory of all active Student Chapters worldwide, along with student chapter application guidelines and resources. If you are interested in starting a Student Chapter, please contact smal@marinemammalscience.org for more information and support.
This chapter, established in July 2011 as the Australia/New Zealand Chapter, provides an opportunity for students studying marine mammals in Australia, New Zealand, and more broadly across Australasia to share ideas, start discussions, and keep in touch with students from different labs and universities throughout the region. While named the Australia/New Zealand Chapter, the chapter welcomes members from across Australasia.
The primary objective of the chapter is to organise biennial conferences that give participants the chance to present and discuss their research in a relaxed environment while networking with other marine mammalogy students and researchers.
We look forward to hopefully seeing many students at the ANZSCSMM student conference in 2027. Members will receive updates on dates and location soon.
To join the chapter and receive information on chapter-related activities, please fill in the membership registration form.
We would like to extend membership to any interested students from the South Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia. While we realise that geographic separation will limit our ability to facilitate face-to-face meetings, we also recognise the need for every student and young professional to have accessible to them a forum for networking beyond their immediate academic/research location. As such, we would encourage students from these regions to apply for membership, join the Australian/New Zealand Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy and get involved with our research-related discussions!
The chapter is under the new and enthusiastic leadership of Aimee Darias-O’Hara (Curtin University), Andrew Davenport (Curtin University), Chloe Edwards (James Cook University), Elise Beaumont (University of Wollongong), Hannah Davies (University of Wollongong), Ilona Sinn (University of Wollongong), Jessica Buckman (University of the Sunshine Coast), Juliette Gard (University of Wollongong), Nicholai Xuereb (Massey University), and Nina Rothe (University of Wollongong).
For any questions regarding membership or chapter activities, please contact us at anzscsmm@gmail.com.
We will communicate news, upcoming events and anything else via email, our website, and our social media channels. You can find them HERE!
The Southeast Student Chapter (SESC) was established in 2016 as a merger between The Gulf Coast Student Chapter and the Florida Student Chapter. Our mission is to create a welcoming and supportive environment for undergraduate and graduate students in the southeast region of the US and the Caribbean to discuss and foster their interests in the research and conservation of marine mammals.
We strive to accomplish this goal by holding annual events that bring students together (physically or virtually) to share ideas, share research, learn new tools and techniques through professional development workshops, and foster new professional networks within the field of marine mammalogy.
The Southeast Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as prospective graduate students, recent graduates (for up to a year after graduating), and postdocs in marine mammal-related studies. We strongly encourage chapter members to be members of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, however it is not required.
This chapter draws members from schools across the entire Southeast region, including the Gulf Coast and Caribbean. North Carolina serves as the northern limit, recognizing that a chapter has formed in DC. Texas serves as the western limit.
To join us and receive information on chapter-related activities, please download our membership form here, fill it out, and email it to: sescsmm@gmail.com. Our Facebook group will have the latest updates for current chapter activities and can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SESCSMM/
2018 LEADERSHIP TEAM
SESC President
Kayla DaCosta, PhD Candidate, University of South Alabama & Dauphin Island Sea Lab
101 Bienville Blvd
Dauphin Island, AL 36528
Email: kdacosta@disl.org; Phone: 251-861-2141 x7547
Kayla DaCosta received her B.S. degree in Conservation Biology from Brigham Young University. She is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of South Alabama and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab working with Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael. Her dissertation research is on manatee habitat use and population connectivity in the northern Gulf of Mexico using tools such and population genetics, stable isotopes, and trace element analysis. Her research interests broadly include landscape level population connectivity and conservation of protected species.
SESC Vice President
Valeria Paz, PhD Candidate
Florida International University
Department of Biological Sciences
3000 NE 151st St.
Marine Science Building 250L
Miami, FL 33181.
Email: vpaz003@fiu.edu; Phone:786-709-5664
I am a PhD candidate in Mike Heithaus’s lab at Florida International University. I’m excited to be more involved in the Southeast Student Chapter and I hope we can use this chapter as a source of collaboration and support.
My research interests focus on top predator and community ecology. I’m particularly interested in the role that predators play beyond predation, such as their effect on nutrient transport and transformation. My current research entails investigating habitat use, trophic interactions, and behavioral ecology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the highly dynamic Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE). I’m using multiple methods such as stable isotope analysis, passive acoustic monitoring, and focal follows. Ultimately, I hope to that my studies will help predict how predators might respond to environmental variability to better inform Everglades restoration and aid in management and conservation. This project will contribute to the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research program.
Follow Valeria on twitter to find out more about her research: @VallllPaz
SESC Secretary & Membership Coordinator
Emily Szott, Masters Student
University of North Florida
Department of Biology
1 UNF Dr., Building 59
Jacksonville, FL 32224
Email: e.szott@unf.edu; Phone: 708-745-0978
I am a first-year graduate student originally from Chicago, Illinois. I am getting my Masters of Science in Biology from the University of North Florida. I am in Dr. Quincy Gibson’s dolphin research lab and am researching the spatial and social patterns of the dolphins in the St. Johns River. In my free time, I enjoy scuba diving, kayaking, or just relaxing with a good book.
Professional Sponsors:
Iske Larkin, PhD (SMM Member)
Lecturer & Education Coordinator College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610
Email: ivlarkin@ufl.edu; Phone: 352-294-4095
Mithriel MacKay, PhD (SMM Member)
Director of Research and Education for the Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center Inc.
Puerto Rico Address:
21 Munoz Rivera, P.O Box 1715
Boquerón, PR 00622
State-side Address:
7006 SW 45th Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32608
Email: Mithriel@Marine-Eco.org; Phone: 830-688-9878
Founding Member: Christina Toms (University of Central Florida); Christina.toms@knights.ucf.edu
Past Leadership: Jonathan Cowart (University of Florida), Jessica Jacob (University of Florida), Malin Lilley (University of Southern Mississippi), Amber De Vere (University of Southern Mississippi)
Welcome to the Northeast USA Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy!
We are the Northeast Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy! We represent undergraduate, graduate, and recently graduated students from the Northeastern United States, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Our mission is to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where students can support one another in their education and research in marine mammal science. We do not tolerate discrimination of anyone based on race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. While we are newly formed, we hope to regularly host virtual and in-person meetings so that we can receive and give feedback on our research and build professional networks.
Please contact us if you are interested in joining us!
Primary Contact:
smmnortheaststudentchapter@gmail.com
Chapter Leaders:
Callyan Lacio, President – University of New Hampshire
Jess Veo, Vice President – University of New Hampshire
Ilaria Coero-Borga, Secretary – University of Vermont
Sponsor:
Michelle Fournet, PhD – University of New Hampshire; Sound Science Research Collective; SMM
Department of Biological Sciences
Spaulding Life Sciences Building
38 Academic Way
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2946
Email: michelle.fournet@unh.edu
Founding Members:
Maia Austin, University of Vermont
Ilaria Coero Borga, University of Vermont
Marissa Garcia, K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at Cornell University
Karianne Kapfer, K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at Cornell University
Christina McCosker, University of Maine
Melanie Smith, University of New Hampshire
Julia Sunnarborg, University of Maine
The DC student chapter (DCSC) aims to capitalize on the niche of students currently working towards degrees in this area and those that may be based elsewhere for academic/research purposes but are currently working professionals within or near the DC metro area (e.g., science-policy arena). Chapter membership is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as prospective graduate students and recent graduates/post-docs in marine mammal-related studies that are primarily located within the Washington D.C. region, though members are also welcome from the greater mid-Atlantic region. However, the vast majority of chapter activities will be held within the DC metro area. We strongly encourage chapter members to be members of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, however it is not required.
It is our intent to utilize the unique location within the nation’s capitol to foster professional collaborations between students, scientists, managers and policy makers within the marine mammal field. Chapter activities will vary based on membership interests, but will likely involve field trips/behind-the-scenes tours to local marine mammal facilities (e.g., National Aquarium at Baltimore) and museum collections (e.g., Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History); coordinated participation/attendance of relevant Congressional hearings and/or briefings; guest lectures/brown-bag seminars; an annual symposium for student research; and other networking opportunities.
LEADERSHIP
Faculty Sponsors
Chris Parsons, PhD (George Mason University)
Dee Allen (Smithsonian, US Marine Mammal Commission)
Student Representatives
Elly Roland, PhD student (George Mason University)
Courtney Smith, PhD student (Southern Miss, NOAA Fisheries)
Madison Miketa, PhD student (Georgetown)
Caitlin Karniski, PhD student (Georgetown)
Welcome to the Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (NWSSMM). The NWSSMM serves the community of marine mammal graduate and undergraduate students in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.
Our professional sponsors are Dr. Andrew Trites (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Amy Van Cise (University of Washington).
The primary activity of the NWSSMM is an annual meeting that allows students in the Pacific Northwest to meet, interact, network, and discuss their research.
To learn more about chapter activities and join our email list, send a message to the current chapter leaders (Natalie Chazal, Oregon State University) and Connor Whalen (University of Washington) at: nwssmm.leaders@gmail.com
Welcome to the webpage for the Alaska Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (AKSMM)! Our chapter was founded to the community of marine mammal graduate and undergraduate students in the state of Alaska.
Research in Alaska poses a set of unique challenges and part of our goal as a chapter is to assist each other in overcoming these issues. We host quarterly meetings where we discuss these issues, invite researchers to speak, and to coordinate chapter activities. It is the ultimate goal of the AKSMM to foster a sense of comradery and collaboration in a state where we are stretched far and wide.
Our chapter is open to all Alaskan student researchers. Check out our Facebook group page for more information
Professional Sponsors: Dr. Shannon Atkinson, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, UAF CFOS Fisheries Division
SOLAMAC Students & SMM Student Chapter Latin America
This chapter aims to bring together students and researchers studying marine mammals across South and Southeast Asia.
We are just getting started, and as we progress, we plan to set up a space where students can meet and talk about their research (online, hybrid, in-person). We want to use this platform to give students an opportunity to present and discuss their research in informal settings. Students are also welcome to talk about research ideas, troubleshoot research questions, and discuss funding and internship opportunities.
Please keep checking this page for updates and join our Facebook page as we go along!
We look forward to having you onboard!
You can reach us at sseascsmm@gmail.com to join or fill out this form.
The chapter is currently run by students from Bangladesh (Shanta Shamsunnahar, Oregon State University), India (Isha Bopardikar, IISER Tirupati & K.Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, USA), and Malaysia (Sandra Teoh, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia & Marcet, Malaysia).
Professional sponsor: Dr Dipani Sutaria, James Cook University
Welcome to the East Asia Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. We serve the community of marine mammal graduate and undergraduate students in eastern Asia (Japan, Korea, China including Hong Kong and Taiwan). The primary activity of ours is an annual meeting that allows students in East Asia to meet, interact, network, and discuss their research.
To learn more about chapter activities and join our email list, send a message to smmeastasia@gmail.com. Our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14777286/
Leadership
Suney Wang (Primary contact, President)
Affiliation: Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Email: 3527212976@qq.com
Momoka Suzuki (Primary contact, Vice president)
Affiliation: Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
Email: momokasakamata1205@gmail.com
STUDENT CHAPTERS APPLICATION, GUIDELINES & RESOURCES
The following information outlines how to establish, manage, and grow an SMM Student Chapter. These guidelines are designed to support student-led communities while ensuring consistency with the Society’s mission and values.
Whether you’re looking to start a new chapter or strengthen an existing one, this section provides everything you need—from application steps and leadership structure to ongoing activities, communications, and fundraising. The guidance below is intended to be practical and flexible, evolving alongside the needs of student members worldwide.
Students intending to start an SMM Student Chapter should submit an application to the Student Member-at-Large. Once formed, Student Chapters must follow these guidelines outlined below in order to remain affiliated with the SMM.
Please read the guidelines below for forming and maintaining SMM Student Chapters carefully before submitting the email described below.
Process
This email application will be submitted to the SMM Student Member-at-Large, who will then present it to the SMM Board of Governors for approval. Board approval of chapter formation is required prior to any announcement or advertisement of Student Chapter activities.
Email Application
Please send the following information via email to the SMM Student Member-at-Large. Please make sure all questions are answered before submitting.
- Geographical area represented
- Primary student contacts (two required, must be SMM members) including full names, institutional affiliations, mailing addresses and email addresses
- Professional sponsor (must be SMM member & send email of commitment) including full name, institutional affiliation, mailing address, office phone and email address
- Social Media Group: either “Create own site” (report to Student Member-at-Large when created) or create a group (platform with public access) and send the link to Student Member-at-Large when created.
Introduction
The Society for Marine Mammalogy is committed to fostering continued student involvement in the activities and development of the Society. SMM Student Chapters are a component of that commitment. SMM Student Chapters serve as a forum for students of marine mammal science to come together in smaller groups, and at more frequent intervals, than the Biennial Conferences on the Biology of Marine Mammals allow, and provide a framework within which groups of students from smaller local areas may plan a variety of activities that facilitate their continuing education and professional development.
The formation of SMM Student Chapters around the world is encouraged as a means of promoting the interests of local students of marine mammal science. The SMM Board of Governors has approved the following set of guidelines for establishing and maintaining Student Chapters. These guidelines were originally prepared by Leslie Cornick in 2002, with contributions from Leah Gerber and Brenda Jensen, and were updated in 2008 by Amanda Bradford and Lynne Williams. They continue to be a “work in progress” as the role of Student Chapters evolves. Your input is welcomed and encouraged, and should be directed to the SMM Student Member-at-Large (SMaL).
Chapter Formation
Initial Application
Students interested in forming an SMM Student Chapter should submit an application to the SMaL, who will present the application to the SMM Board. Board approval of chapter formation is required prior to any announcement or advertisement of Student Chapter activities. Once a Student Chapter has formed, the SMaL will provide oversight, guidance, and support to the chapter in planning and executing activities where appropriate.
Faculty or Professional Sponsor
In order to preserve the continuity of the SMM Student Chapters as students graduate, and to ensure that the SMM is appropriately represented in chapter activities, a local faculty or other professional sponsor must be obtained during chapter formation. The sponsor should be a full-time member of the local academic, agency, or professional community, as well as a current member of the SMM. The SMM Student Chapter application requires the name and contact information of the proposed sponsor and a brief email of commitment from him or her. The SMaL will send a welcome letter to each new sponsor with information about sponsoring an SMM Student Chapter. The sponsor should be informed of all chapter activities. The sponsor is not required to attend these activities, but is encouraged to do so. Should a sponsor be unable to continue in that capacity at some point during the tenure of a Student Chapter, a new sponsor must be obtained and the SMaL notified of the change. An email of commitment from the new sponsor is then required.
Chapter Leadership
Two primary contacts are required to form and maintain an SMM Student Chapter. Leadership by elected officers is optional and may or may not include the two primary contacts. Contact information for any elected officers should be sent to the SMaL immediately following his or her appointment. The term durations of the primary contacts and any elected officers is at the discretion of the Student Chapter, but all changes in leadership should be reported to the SMaL.
SMM Membership
All students in a position of chapter leadership (i.e., primary contacts, elected officers, webmasters) must be SMM members. For other students participating in the activities of an SMM Student Chapter, SMM membership is encouraged, but not required.
Chapter Maintenance
Chapter Activities
All general guidelines of the SMM Constitution and Bylaws should be followed by the SMM Student Chapters. Student Chapter activities are at the discretion of the chapter and its sponsor. The SMaL should be informed of all meetings. Suggested activities include a journal club, invited speakers, practice research or conference presentations, career development discussions, and community outreach and education.
Publication of Activities
All potential postings to MARMAM and other public listservs should be sent to the sponsor and the SMaL for approval prior to posting. Other than approved postings publicizing meetings and other activities, Student Chapters are not authorized to make statements to the media of any kind that imply, suggest, or infer that they are speaking on behalf of the SMM as a whole or in part, which includes using the name of the Student Chapter as a functional unit of the SMM. Student Chapters are encouraged to send associated news, activities, or other items of interest to the SMaL for publication in the SMM Newsletter.
Websites, Email, and Listservs
Each SMM Student Chapter is encouraged to maintain a website for its membership. Chapters can develop their own websites, which should be sent to the sponsor and SMaL for approval prior to initial posting. Alternatively, a template website is available on the SMM server. These template websites are easy to manage and maintain, although SMM Membership is required to do so. One or both of the Student Chapter primary contacts may serve as the chapter webmaster, or another chapter member may be appointed, provided that student is an SMM member. All chapter websites must contain the following information:
- Contact information for primary contacts, any elected officers, and sponsor
- Link to the SMM website with the SMM logo
- Information about membership in the Student Chapter
- Information about chapter activities
Websites may also contain information about current members, links to websites of interest to local students, and other relevant information. Each chapter is encouraged to maintain an independent email address so that the contact information for the chapter has continuity. The communication among chapter members and the publication of chapter activities and announcements on an associated chapter listserv are also encouraged. If available, the Student Chapter email address and listserv information should be included on the chapter website.
Fundraising Activities
SMM Student Chapters are permitted to raise funds for the purpose of supporting activities, including such items as refreshments and general supplies for meetings. All fundraising activities must be approved by the sponsor and the SMaL. Clear distinction must be made that the activity is to raise funds only in support of activities of the local Student Chapter, not for the SMM. Student Chapters may not use the SMM non-profit status for fundraising. A continuous record of all money collected and spent by the Student Chapter must be kept, either by one or both of the primary contacts or by an elected treasurer.
Each Student Chapter has the option of collecting dues in order to support chapter activities. If this option is exercised, the collection and use of this money should be recorded. In keeping with other local chapters of national professional societies (e.g., Society for Conservation Biology, American Fisheries Society, Wildlife Society), $5 per year is recommended. If a chapter decides to collect dues, a dues requirement must be posted on the Student Chapter website, and must be reported to the sponsor and the SMaL.
In the event that a donor(s) wishes to make a donation to support an SMM Student Chapter and its activities, the SMM Treasurer may accept funds on behalf of a specific chapter for its exclusive use. The SMaL should be contacted for detailed instructions and will act as liaison to the SMM Treasurer.
Communication with SMaL
The SMaL will periodically (in general, annually) check-in with the primary contacts of each SMM Student Chapter to request an update of the chapter’s status. In response, the contact members should provide any changes in primary contacts and officers; any modifications to or addition of a chapter website, email, and listserv; a summary of chapter activities; an overview of money raised and spent; and any other news of interest. After ample warning, failure to respond to this request will result in the removal of the Student Chapter from SMM recognition, including all links from the SMM website. Interim communication with the SMaL, to include questions, ideas, and feedback, is encouraged and in some cases required, as indicated above.