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Getting to Know Gray Whales:
A Lifetime of Research
David W. Weller, PhD
Marine Mammal and Turtle Division Director
NOAA Fisheries
Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla
Dr. David Weller has studied the biology and ecology of whales and dolphins for 35 years. His speciality is in wildlife science, population assessment and evaluation of potential disturbance impacts from human activities. His job is collecting data, supervising multi-cultural teams in remote and often dangerous field conditions, and overseeing laboratory and analytical work. A major focus has been research on gray whales and he has authored or co-authored more than 70 papers or reports on this species behavior in the eastern and western North Pacific, including areas off Mexico, California, Canada, Russia, Korea, Japan and China.
Dr. Weller received his Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University in 1998, his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Hawaii and San Diego State University. He has been in residence at Southwest Fisheries Science Center since 1998.