Appendix A: Leading Researchers in Human-Marine Life Communication

Appendix A: Leading Researchers in Human-Marine Life Communication

This appendix provides contact information for leading researchers in the field of human-marine life communication. These experts have made significant contributions to our understanding of cetacean cognition, communication systems, and human-marine mammal interactions. They represent valuable resources for further inquiry into this fascinating field.

Dr. Laela Sayigh

Affiliation: Hampshire College & Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Position: Professor of Animal Behavior
Research Focus: Social behavior and communication of cetaceans (whales and dolphins), dolphin "motherese" communication with calves
Contact:

  • Email: lssCS@hampshire.edu (Hampshire College)
  • Email: lsayigh@whoi.edu (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
  • Phone: 413.559.5510 (Hampshire College)
  • Phone: 508.289.2977 (Woods Hole)
  • Office: Adele Simmons Hall 202, Hampshire College
  • Website: https://www.hampshire.edu/academics/faculty/laela-sayigh

Dr. Diana Reiss

Affiliation: Hunter College, City University of New York
Position: Professor of Cognitive Psychology and Marine Mammal Science
Research Focus: Cognition, communication, and evolution of intelligence in marine mammals
Additional Role: Former Director of the Marine Mammal Research Program at the New York Aquarium
Research Highlights: Dolphin cognition, self-awareness, and interspecies communication
Contact:

  • Email: dreiss@hunter.cuny.edu
  • Phone: 212-650-3432
  • Office: 68th Street North 606A, Hunter College
  • Website: https://hunter.cuny.edu/people/diana-reiss/

Dr. Lori Marino

Affiliation: Whale Sanctuary Project (Founder and President)
Position: Leading researcher in whale and dolphin brain anatomy
Research Focus: Cetacean neuroanatomy, evolution of large brains in toothed whales, cognitive abilities
Research Highlights: Studies on spindle cells in cetacean brains, evolutionary convergence in psychology between cetaceans and humans
Contact:

  • Email: info@whalesanctuary.org (Organization contact)
  • Website: https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/people/lori-marino/
  • Organization: Whale Sanctuary Project, https://whalesanctuaryproject.org

Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski

Affiliation: Dolphin Communication Project
Position: Director and Founder
Research Focus: Dolphin communication, behavior, and social interactions
Research Highlights: Pioneered the Mobile Video/Acoustic Array (MVA) technology for studying dolphin behavior
Contact:

  • Email: info@dolphincommunicationproject.org (Organization contact)
  • Mail: Dolphin Communication Project, P.O. Box 7485, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34985, USA
  • Website: https://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/kathleen-dudzinski/
  • Organization: Dolphin Communication Project, https://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org

Additional Notable Researchers

Dr. Denise Herzing

Affiliation: Wild Dolphin Project & Florida Atlantic University
Position: Research Director (Wild Dolphin Project) & Affiliate Assistant Professor
Research Focus: Dolphin communication, behavior, and cognition in wild populations
Contact:

  • Email: info@wilddolphinproject.org (Organization contact)
  • Website: https://www.wilddolphinproject.org

Dr. Louis Herman (1930-2016)

Legacy: Pioneered research on dolphin language comprehension and cognitive abilities
Affiliation: University of Hawaii & Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory
Research Highlights: Demonstrated dolphins' ability to understand artificial languages with semantic and syntactic components

Dr. Naomi Rose

Affiliation: Animal Welfare Institute
Position: Marine Mammal Scientist
Research Focus: Orca behavior, welfare of marine mammals in captivity
Contact:

  • Email: naomi@awionline.org
  • Website: https://awionline.org/content/dr-naomi-rose