Michael Castellini

WhaleFest 2036

About the Speaker

Dr. Michael Castellini earned his PhD from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1981 and has been a faculty member at the University of Alaska Fairbanks since 1989.  He was the founding Science Director for the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, the Director of the Institute of Marine Science, Associate Dean and then Dean for the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.  He is now the Interim Dean for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Graduate School.  Dr. Castellini’s research focuses on how marine mammals have adapted to life in the sea. Ever since his graduate work in San Diego, he has studied marine mammals around the world examining their biochemical, physiological and behavioral adaptations for deep and long duration diving, extended fasting, exercise physiology, hydrodynamics and even sleeping patterns.  In Alaska, his work has extended into issues of population health (Why are marine mammal populations declining in some areas?), contaminant chemistry, reproductive chemistry and digestive physiology.  Mike’s graduate students have worked from Alaska to Antarctica on these issues. He has written over 100 scientific papers on his work and is involved in local, state and national panels and committees dealing with policy issues related to marine mammals, ecosystem management and agency oversights.  Mike is an integral member of the Sitka WhaleFest team that develops the program for the science symposium each year and discuss the overall theme. Together they are responsible for inviting the speakers for the Scientist in the Schools program and the weekend symposium.  This collaboration between the University of Alaska campuses has helped forge and strengthen the connections among Alaskan marine scientists.  His favorite location in Alaska is on the Forrester Island complex, about 70 miles southwest offshore of Ketchikan and as far south in the Alaska panhandle as you can get…the islands are covered in Steller sea lions, birds, berries and fortunately, no bears.  Wonderful weeks have been spent there working on sea lions and exploring elfin-like old-growth forest…just amazing.